Obituary of Robert Halley Walker

Robert Halley “Bob” Walker, passed away on October 7, 2016, at Ardmore, Okla. Graveside services will be 10:00 am Wednesday, October 12th 2016, at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Sulphur Oklahoma with The Reverend Dan Patman officiating. Bob was born on May 23, 1928, to Agnew Astley Walker and Mary Frances (White) Walker at Wewoka, Okla. He graduated from Wewoka High School. During World War II, Bob enlisted in the United States Army and served his country as a Medic. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he attended college on the GI Bill. He earned his Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma. In Bob’s early career, he worked as a health inspector of restaurants for the State of Oklahoma. From there he was named as the Director of Nursing Home Inspections for the Oklahoma State Department of Health. A pioneer of modern nursing home design, he built one of the first nursing homes, the Artesian Home, in Sulphur, Okla., using his design in 1960. The following year, he built Elmbrook Home in Ardmore and owned and operated both homes until his retirement. Bob was named to the board for the Oklahoma Nursing Home Association and served in that capacity for many years. He enjoyed quail hunting, travelling, playing golf, and was an avid OU fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Agnew and Mary Frances Walker one brother Dr. Tom Walker. Bob is survived by his two sons; Kenneth James Walker, and wife, Deborah, of Ardmore, Okla., and Brent Halley Walker and wife, Connie, of Belgrade, Montana. Grandchildren; Erik Walker, of Frisco, Texas, Melissa Sherfield and husband, Cory, of Ardmore, Laurie Paige and husband, Brandt, of Utah. Great-grandchildren; Caiden Sherfield, Braxton Sherfield, Hayley Sherfield, all of Admore, Okla., and Jaxon Paige of Utah. Brother; Dr. John Walker and wife, Wynn, of Amarillo, Texas, and sister in-law, Janice, of Temple, Texas. He is also survived by his loving companion of 27years Mae Rankin of Sulphur, Okla. Visitation will be 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at Griffin ~ Hillcrest.