Ed Walker

Longtime Alaska resident Ed Walker, 94, died at Providence Hospital on Oct. 28, 2011, surrounded by family.

Ed was born in San Juan Bautista, Calif., on Aug. 28, 1917. He joined the Army in 1937.

Standing 6-feet, 4-inches tall, he was recruited to play basketball and football for the U.S. Army in Hawaii, where he made the all-star teams each year. He transferred from Hawaii to Alaska in search of a new frontier, and find it he did. Following the outbreak of World War II, Ed was selected as a member of the elite joint military regiment for reconnaissance in the Aleutian Islands, the Alaskan Scouts. This group of 65 rugged individuals, hand picked for their individual toughness, later became know as Castner’s Cutthroats, of which Ed was the last surviving member. His children and grandchildren were blessed to grow up hearing story after story about his time as an Alaskan Scout defending his country on Alaska soil.

While still in the Army, Ed met the love of his life, Frances Park, in Fairbanks, where she was working for the Army Corps of Engineers building of the Alaska Highway. They were married at Fort Richardson on April 29, 1944, and settled in Fairbanks. Given Ed’s construction background, he started Arctic Block Construction Co. with Con Frank in 1947 and built many of the first permanent structures at both Ladd and Eielson fields, many during the winter. Frances worked as the Women’s Page editor for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Other early endeavors included working in a mining operation in Good News Bay, and lifelong friendships were made while living in Delta Junction publishing the Walker’s Weekly local newspaper and owning the Malamute Saloon. He also fought for Alaska’s statehood and raised four children.

The Walkers moved to Valdez in 1960, where Ed and his sons began building houses. They were in the middle of the construction of several houses in Valdez at the time of the 1964 earthquake. Ed immediately transitioned and began moving houses from the old town of Valdez to the “new town” of Valdez. He served as a member of the Valdez City Council during the years of rebuilding the town and the construction of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. He built many houses in the new Valdez and his last building project was the Village Inn Motel, currently Mountain Sky Hotel and Suites.

Ed and Frances travelled the world extensively visiting the many friends they made as a result of their ownership of the Village Inn. Ed was heralded by many as a man who would never ever give up. He was always positive and had a driving passion and vision for a better Alaska. His incomparable work ethic was an inspiration to his children. Ed was an author and respected Alaska historian who was featured in the long-running History Channel documentary on the Alaskan Scouts.

Having received five hip replacements, instead of slowing him down, he authored a book to help others in the same predicament titled “Hip-Hip Hooray!” Following the passing of his wife Frances, he processed this great loss by authoring a book titled “Twenty Women Who Made America Great.” He also authored books about his life, including a firsthand account as one of Castner’s Cutthroats and the trials and triumphs of the Alaskan Scouts. He enjoyed his final years at the Alaska Pioneer Home in Palmer, where he frequently discussed politics, foreign policy and the need for an all Alaska gas line.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Frances P. Walker; daughter, Kathleen Walker Williams; grandson, Luca Sordelli; and dear friend, Stella Odsather.

He is survived by his son, Bob Walker and wife Debbie Cimino of Lafayette, Colo.; daughter, Suzy Walker of Palmer; son, Bill Walker and wife Donna of Anchorage; grandchildren, Jason Szymanski, Brent Byrne, Trevor Walker, Felicia Welch, Anna Kate Williams, Lindsay Hobson, Tessa Linderman, Adam Walker and Jordan Walker; and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is at 4 p.m., Nov. 5 in Valdez at Faith Harbor Fellowship with a potluck reception immediately following the service.