LASHMEET — Ernest Avil Walker, Sr., 86, of Lashmeet, died Sunday, March 22, 2009. Born January 11, 1923 at Beckley, he was the son of the late Aden Walker and Chloe May Hedrick Walker. Mr. Walker was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served in World War II on the USS MAC Kenzie. He also served in the Civilian Conservation Corps. and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church of Rock. He worked as a welder and ran the tipple at Crane Creek and was a member of the UMWA. Loving music, he could play many different instruments. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Anna Mae Shrader Walker on March 4, 2009; one brother, Andrew Walker; four sisters, Anna M. McKeon, Gyle Johnson, Estes Gibson and Reva Walker; and two granddaughters, Tina Midkiff and Crystal Ward. Survivors include three daughters, Arlene Midkiff and her husband Buddy and Natlie Akers all of Lashmeet and Marketta Ward and her husband Tom of Princeton; five sons, Ernest (Ernie) Walker, Jr. and his wife Angie of Estero, Fla. and Damon Walker, Russell Walker, Michael Walker and his wife Celeste all of Princeton and Myron Walker of the home; three sisters, Naomi Walker of Princeton and Peggy E. Vencil and her husband Marvin of Princwick, and Rema Meadows of Beckley; 22 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a son-in-law, Randall Akers of Princeton. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastor Roger Lafferty officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where military honors will be conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Council and the West Virginia National Guard Honor Guard. Sons and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to Sandy's Home Sweet Home Adult Care, 1715 Pinoak Rd., Lashmeet, WV 24733. Friends may call today from 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton.