of Proctor, AR

April 22, 1940 - May 16, 2025

Ira Vernon Walker passed away Friday, May 16,2025 at his home in Proctor. He was 85. Vernon was born on April 22, 1940 to Harry Wolf and Beatrice Wright Walker in Memphis, TN.

Vernon was a hard worker all his life beginning with a paper route as a boy and raising cattle and soy beans in high school. He graduated from Frasier High School in 1958 at which time he was working at Walker Radiator Works. He began running Walker's in 1967 and continued until 2020.

In 1970 he was a founding member of the National Street Rod Association and became the president in 1976. His passion and dedication for the automotive community touched countless lives. The NSRA expanded nationwide and brought street rod enthusiasts together from all walks of life.

Vernon met Georgie Scott where she worked at Johnson Auto in West Memphis. When he delivered or picked up radiators, he would stop by and smile or flip her pony tail. They married in 1959 and celebrated their 65th anniversary in 2025. He was loved as Dad by his children and Grandpoppy by thirteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Vernon could be seen daily mowing, weed eating and working around his home in Proctor. If you happened to stop by, he might invite you in to see the cars or the vintage service station. He admired those who served our country and sent many a care package overseas for troops in service. He especially enjoyed when servicemen or women would stop by to thank him for flying the flag. He loved Christmas and was well known for the Christmas lights he put up each year.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Doris Vick, Gladys Conley, Ethel Holcomb and his brother, Whit Walker. He is survived by his wife, Georgie Scott Walker; daughters, Ginger (Steve) Allinson, Teresa Grubbs, Kim (AD) Williams and son, Vernon Leo Walker; his grandchildren, Michael (Lauren) Allinson, Marybeth (GB) Ward, Mark Allinson, Chris Scarbrough, Ashley (Jeff) Davis, Walker Grubbs, Grant (Blakely) Walker, Shelby (Holden) Dunaway, Taylor (Clint) Nelson, Georgie (Ryan) Deitrich, Robin Pulliam, Ivy (Alex) Sexton, Annabelle Pulliam and great grandchildren, Luke, Addie Jane and Claire Allinson, Gordon and Elijah Ward, Dexter Davis, Maverick, McCoy and Emersyn Walker and Ruston Detrich. He also leaves behind a family of car lovers across the country.

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
201 North Pine Street
West Memphis, AR  72303
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com