Marion "Spike" Junior Walker

Marion “Spike” Junior Walker, the son of Marion L. and Olive (Baumgardner) Walker, was born July 9, 1921, at his parents’ home in rural Cass County, Iowa and died September 15, 2016, following a brief illness, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 95 years, 2 months, and 6 days.
Spike was baptized at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended local schools and worked various jobs in his teens during the Depression.
On February 28, 1944, Spike was inducted into the U.S. Navy. During his tour of duty he served on the U.S.S. Prairie in the Southwest Pacific. The Prairie tended destroyers during the campaigns at the Marshall Islands, Tarawa, and Eniwetok. In October of 1945 the Prairie steamed to Tokyo Bay where Spike was part of the occupying forces after the Japanese surrender. He was very proud of his service to his country. Spike was honorably discharged on April 8, 1946, and returned to Iowa and worked.
On November 14, 1952, he was united in marriage to Margery Jayne at the Exira Christian Church. They were blessed with four children John, William, Sarah, and Joseph. Spike and Margery farmed the Walter Green farm which they later purchased. They grew cash crops and raised hogs, cattle, and milked cows. In 2003 Spike and Margery moved into Exira. He continued to help his sons, Bill and Joe, farm until he was well into his 80’s.
Spike was a member of the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa and a member of the Brayton Post #350, American Legion. As well as farming, Spike enjoyed traveling to the Western United States, searching for Indian rocks, going to the casinos, and attending farm auctions.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his sisters and brother Dorothy and husband Dale Yoder, Betty and husband Emmert Johnston, Lillian and husband Bruce Wedemeyer, and Howard Walker; and his brothers-in-law Vic Beckman, Alex Hensley, James Jayne, Urb Heinrich, and Art Runge.
Survivors include his wife Margery Walker of Exira, Iowa; his children John Walker of Brayton, Iowa, William “Bill” and wife Rhonda Walker of Exira, Iowa, Sarah and husband Eric Gross of Fontanelle, Iowa, and Joseph “Joe” and wife Denise Walker of Brayton, Iowa; his grandchildren; Clint Walker, Alec Walker and Rachel Walker all of Exira, Iowa, Rebecca Gross of Des Moines, Iowa, and Christine Gross of Ames, Iowa, Emma Walker of Atlantic, Iowa, Ann Walker of Omaha, Nebraska, Nora Walker of Atlantic, Iowa, and Joseph Walker of Ames, Iowa; his brothers and sisters Phyllis Hensley of Burnet, Texas, Virginia Beckman of Waterloo, Iowa, Forrest and wife Shirley Walker of Minden, Iowa and Kelly and wife Betty Walker of Rose Valley, Pennsylvania, his sisters-in-law Marjorie Walker-Paulsen and husband Charles Paulsen of Exira, Iowa, Helen Runge of Exira, Iowa, and Florence Jayne of Paisley, Oregon; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Glen Meyers on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery. The casket bearers will be Clint Walker, Alec Walker, Joseph Walker, James Kilworth, John Kilworth, Jason Roberts, and Richard Johnston.