The Rev. Fred D. Walker, 85, a retired United Methodist minister, of 1900 Ravine Road, Williamsport and formerly of 176 Spruce Run Road, Lewisburg for 28 years, died at 7:05 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11 at his residence. He had been seriously ill for several years.
Rev. Walker was born July 23, 1920 in Tyrone, a son of the late Jesse D. and Bertha Sprankle Walker. He and his wife, the former Elizabeth “Betty” Seilhammer celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Nov. 26.
He was a 1938 graduate of Tyrone High School, he attended the Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster and Shenandoah College, Dayton, VA. He graduated from Otterbein College in Westerville, OH in 1944, receiving a BA in pre-ministerial studies. He graduated from Bonebake Seminary (now United Seminary) in Dayton, OH with a master of Divinity Degree in 1946 and was ordained in 1946.
He was licensed as a United Brethren Minister in 1940. He was consecrated with his wife as a United Brethren missionary to Sierra Leone, West Africa in June 1946 and served in that capacity through the spring of 1957.
After reluctantly retiring from missionary service because of a back injury, he served as pastor of churches in Pitcairn, PA from 1957 to 1962 and Altoona East End Church from 1962 to 1969. He was asked to be the first Chaplain of the United Methodist Homes, now RiverWoods in Lewisburg, serving from 1972 to 1979.
He took official retirement in 1985. Throughout the rest of his life, he continued to speak of the mission needs in Sierra Leone.
He played basketball and football in high school and college and remained an avid football fan.
He was a former member of the Lewisburg Kiwanis Club.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons: David L. and his wife, Nicole and Richard A. and his wife, Abigail, both of Williamsport; six grandchildren: Sia, twin grandsons, Aaron and Ian, Jesse, Rodman, Arie and one step grandson, Joshua Traver.
He was predeceased by brothers, William, Charles and Paul and a sister, Elizabeth Jane Trostle.
The service will be Friday, Dec. 16 at 1:30 p.m. from the Mazeppa United Methodist Church, RD Lewisburg with the Rev. Daniel H. Hicks officiating.
Friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will follow in the Mazeppa Union Cemetery, RD Lewisburg.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to The Advanced Special 09229A c/o The General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, 475 Riverside Dr., New York, NY 10115 for the eye clinic of Sierra Leone.
Arrangements are under the care of the Gary H. Cronrath Funeral Home, South 2nd and St. Louis Streets, Lewisburg.
