Robert Shell Walker, 77 died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 at Cullman Regional Hospital of pneumonia and a very long battle with dementia.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Sonja (Hare) Walker, who passed in 2014.
He leaves his daughter Robin (Walker) Bowen and husband Greg of Atlanta, Georgia; son Robert Shell Walker, Jr. and wife Beth (Hunt) Walker of Cullman, Alabama; grandchildren Walker Bowen, Garrett Walker, Greyson Bowen, Shelby Walker, Keeton Bowen, and Amberley and Ashton Laney; great-grandchildren Micah Hare Bowen and Kathryn Grayce Laney; brother Pellum Shell Walker and wife Sharon (Godeke) Walker; and three nephews.
He was born in Rye New York, Aug. 4, 1943, the son of Robert Baume Walker and Virginia (Shell) Walker. The family moved to Fairhope, Alabama when Robert was 4 years of age. Robert grew up working in the family store, Shell’s Five and Dime. He attended Fairhope High School, where he met his future wife, Sonja Faye Hare. The two graduated and were married in 1962.
Robert served in the Air Force where he was stationed in Tripoli, Libya during the Vietnam War. After his service he worked at NASA’s Michoud Assembly New Orleans, LA where one of his greatest memories took place, watching the first lunar landing up close and personal. After moving to Cullman, Alabama in 1972 he honed his skills and became a “salesman’s salesman” while working for Florida Notions, Mc Griff Tire and finally his very own B & S Automotive (Bob & Sonja). Retiring in 2001, he moved back to Fairhope for a bit and then relocated to Cullman again for the last time in 2010.
Robert and Sonja were very involved with the Cullman Jaycees/Jaycettes; he was also a Mason. Robert Walker loved anything you could race, be it a motorcycle (along with Sonja, he took a three-week bike trip to British Colombia in the early 2000s), boat or car. He loved to fly remote control airplanes and fly co-pilot with a dear friend. Robert loved his family, friends and his dogs (too many Airedales to count), but most of all his beloved wife Sonja. Thankfully, he is now at peace with her.
Celebration of Life to be scheduled. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
