Clifford Walker

Cliff Walker passed from this life quite unexpectedly on Sunday morning, February 24, 2008 at the age of 87. He was born in Poteau, Oklahoma on July 1, 1920 to Clifford Sr. and Georgie Walker. Following his honorable discharge from the United States Army, he married Bonnie Jean Stroud in 1946. They lived in various towns in Arkansas and Oklahoma before moving to Ponca City, OK during the early fifties. They moved to Arkansas City in 1955 shortly before the birth of their daughter T.L. Cliff worked for Dixie Portland Flour Mills for over 30 years and retired in the early eighties. Following the death of his wife in 1985, Cliff became involved with the Ponca Playhouse where he had his acting debut and was active for many years both on stage and off. In 1990, Cliff was reunited with his childhood friend, Florence Noyd, and after 50 years apart, they renewed the friendship that would see them through the final years of their lives. He moved to San Angelo, Texas where he became part of the Noyd family and enjoyed 15 wonderful years filled with new family and friends. When his beloved friend, Flo, passed away in 2005, Cliff returned to Ponca City to live with his daughter, T.L. and her husband Zac Robertson. Cliff was happiest when he was bringing some small joy to other people and there are many in town who will miss him. It was the many, many people here who befriended him that made his last two and a half years happy ones. Daily breakfast at McDonald's, Sunday mornings at River Bridge Café and lots of wonderful evening of Scrabble at Ponca Townsite were activities that he always enjoyed. He loved to run errands for his family and to help distribute brochures and rack cards for the local tourism authority. He was most proud of his association with Hospice of North Central Oklahoma where he volunteered on an almost daily basis doing the bulk of their document shredding. He wrote the following poem about his volunteer work and it captures his delightful sense of humor. Cliff Walker's my name And shredding's my game. I'll shred it here, I'll shred it there, I'll shred it anywhere. But Hospice has no place to put it, So let me tell you what, Let's call the Humane Society And see if they have a spot. So we called them on the telephone To tell them about our stock. They said "Bring some out And let us see what you've got." We took some out for them to see. They oohed and aahed and their hearts were a'twitter, And so they filled All their boxes with the litter. When the animals saw it They were ecstatic, one and all. They could hardly wait for the urge To "step across the hall". So here's the moral to the story: If you're ever in a bind At Hospice, the Humane Society or Tourism, The folks are wonderfully kind. His other great joy was dropping by to visit his special friends, taking them chocolates on special occasions and just staying in touch. The most special of these were Jane, MaryBeth, Melanie, Gina, Brenda, Justine, and his newest friend, Miss Morgan. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, an infant son, his wife Bonnie, and his companion, Flo. He is survived by his daughter T.L. Walker and her husband Zac Robertson of Ponca City, Oklahoma. He was firm in his desire to not have any kind of funeral or memorial service, so none will be held. Interment will be in Cave Springs Cemetery, Cave Springs, Arkansas under the direction of Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.

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Clifford Walker

July 1, 1920 - February 24, 2008