Billie Phyllis Walker

Billie Phyllis Walker, 92, resident of Eldorado was called to Heaven on Friday, 22 February 2019, after a dauntless battle with dementia and associated complications. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Eldorado with Rev. Bobby Jones officiating. Burial will follow services at the Eldorado Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home and Cremation Service. The Walker family will greet friends Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kincannon's Eldorado Chapel.

Billie Phyllis Jones was born to Robert Hugh and Verna Odella Jones in Eldorado, Oklahoma. The family resided at 725 West D Street in Eldorado, where Phyllis had most of her early childhood memories. In 1938, the family moved approximately 7.5 miles west of Eldorado to the farm area in the Lincoln School District. Phyllis attended Lincoln School until 1941 when the family moved back to the house at 725 West D Street in Eldorado. Phyllis attended Eldorado High School and graduated in 1944. Upon graduation, Phyllis moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and lived with her brother J.W where she worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone. She later moved back to Eldorado to live at home where she worked for the Eldorado Courier newspaper until 1947. On April 26, 1947 she married Senior Cleyon Walker of the Midway area east of town. They moved to the farm to start a family, where she was Senior’s partner in farming and cattle production for the rest of her life. Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents and brothers J.W. and Marshall Jones.

Church and Sunday school were a standard routine in her devoted commitment to honoring God. She valued the adult Sunday school class and regularly taught the class at the First Methodist Church. She taught her sons the core principal of right and wrong in every situation. Her memory for bible verses and quotes was astonishing. It seems she had a quote for every event in life, even up to the time dementia took its toll. A favorite repeated by her sons today is, “This too shall pass.”

Phyllis was an excellent artist with different mediums, but oil painting was her favorite. She excelled at painting flowers and western scenes. She loved collecting rocks from different parts of the country where she traveled, especially Colorado. Rocks can be found throughout her yard today. Mixed in her collection of rocks, Phyllis had a green thumb that was evidenced by flowers, shrubs and bird feeders. She regularly instructed Senior about their proper care and love.

A summer vacation with the sons away from the farm was always a family priority. While some vacations may have been short and simple, they are cherished memories by the family. Colorado seemed to be the favorite place. Touring different parts of the state camping in earlier years and later riding ATVs in the San Juan Mountains of SW Colorado with family members held a special place in her heart, as well as the entire family.

Christmas was her favorite Holiday. She always went overboard with tree, decorations and presents for everyone, especially the Grandchildren. She and Senior would string popcorn in long strands for that special look. The Grandkids could occasionally be found eating a snack from the Christmas tree. The Grandchildren were her crown jewel. Whenever they visited, they had her continual attention in playing games, storytelling and doing whatever they desired. Grandma was always their best friend.

Phyllis loved antiques, and the pursuit to find them. Trips with Senior and friends to different parts of the country were favorite adventures. She and Senior always seemed to find something unique that would occasionally show up as Christmas presents for Rocky and Rodney.

She was active in the Eldorado Lions Club before it dissolved. She and other Lions Club members would sell fireworks from a travel trailer beside their home during the 4th of July. She was always supportive in her son’s school activities and with the Eldorado School system. She and Senior were elected Class Parents for some of the younger students and traveled with them on many school events.
She was the perfect host to anyone visiting their home. Throughout the years, her sons would bring professional friends to Eldorado for visits and hunting trips. No trip was complete without a bowl of beans and visit with Senior and Phyllis. She made them feel like they were in their own home. They always seemed to enjoy the visit with Mom and Dad more than the original reason for travel to Eldorado.

Phyllis was Senior’s partner for life. She shared the ups and downs of farming and cattle production, but was always there performing her fair share of duties in the occupation, plus taking care of the home. It never took much to make her happy, even to the end when Senior so diligently supported her. Driving the farm roads in the Midway area looking for wildlife was always sufficient. The family was the most important asset to Phyllis and Senior.

She never complained and always found a silver lining in every situation. Her relentless message to all comes from Proverbs 3:5-6 that says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” That basic philosophy has been ingrained in her family, and will always be a core principle.

She is survived by husband Senior Walker of the home, Rodney and Harva Walker of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Rocky and Brenda Walker of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Also, four (4) Grandchildren who are Deena Nguyen and Husband Thuy, Robin Avery and Husband Ted, Shiloh Walker and Wife Carrie and Kelsey Mitchell and Husband Chris. Six (6) Great-Grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and Sister Verna Mae Sheehan of Lubbock, Texas.