James E. Walker Sr., 66, of Chicora died at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at his home after a long illness.

Born in Avalon, Allegheny County, Sept. 28, 1939, he was the son of Seth and Dorothy Prentice Walker.

He served in the Air Force from Oct. 22, 1956, to Oct. 21, 1962, and obtained the rank of airman second class.

Mr. Walker worked at Halstead Industries in Zelienople for more than 20 years and retired in 2001 from JSP International in East Butler after five years.

He was a member of the Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church of Chicora and the Altar-Rosary Society of the church.

He was an avid fisherman and helped start the Butler chapter of the Bass Buddies fishing club.

Surviving are his wife, Carol Stewart Walker, whom he married Jan. 31, 1961; two daughters, Mrs. Eric (Sandra) Bright of Butler and Sharon Thomas of Chicora; two sons, James E. Jr. and Patrick Lee Walker, both of Chicora; and 10 grandchildren

A daughter and two brothers preceded him in death.

<B>WALKER</B> — Friends of James E. Walker Sr., who died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and Friday at the STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME, 111 E. Slippery Rock St., Chicora. There will be no afternoon visitation. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, 409 N. Main St., Chicora, with the Rev. David DeWitt officiating. Burial will be at the Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora.Military honors will be conducted by the Chicora VFW and American Legion posts.