of Harrison, AR

September 25, 1939 - December 23, 2025

Sheldon Lee Walker, 86, of Harrison, Arkansas, left this earth peacefully with his family present to be with his Lord on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. He was born September 25, 1939, in the White Oak Community near Bergman, Arkansas, to Grace (Sands) Walker and Loy Jefferson Walker. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Freddie Gelease (Hefley) Walker.

Sheldon is survived by one brother, Ivan (Nancy) Walker, and one sister, Karen (Jerry) Kimes; four daughters, Selena (Pat) Merriman, Shelly Walker, Linda (Rick) King and Lisa (Jeff) Wiskur; ten grandchildren, Samantha (Stephan) Kershisnik, Luke Merriman, Codi (Kerry) Kanatzar, Paul (Sara) Swearingen, Rachel (Geordany) Espinoza, Reagan (Domenic) Pacitti, Julie (Brett) Bethurem, Katie Wiskur, Eric (Courtney) Wiskur, Stephanie Wiskur; one step-grandchild, Hannah King; fifteen great-grandchildren, Jack Kershisnik, Fiona Kershisnik, Madalyn Merriman, Madison Carpenter, Abigail Carpenter, Elijah Kanatzar, Owen Kanatzar, Liam Kanatzar, Quinn Swearingen, Robin Swearingen, Roland Swearingen, Leandro Espinoza, Noah Bethurem, Connor Bethurem, Tyler Wiskur and many other family members.

Sheldon was born in the White Oak community and lived there on the family farm until he graduated from high school to marry his wife, Freddie. They moved to the Kansas City area to begin their lives together raising four daughters. Sheldon was a self-employed television repairman for many years, living in the Kansas City, Missouri area, later moving to Harrison, Arkansas, Springfield, Missouri, then back to Harrison, where they retired.

Sheldon loved the outdoors and as a young adult while he was spending time exploring nature he came to the conclusion that there was a Creator. For God said in Romans 1:19-20 ''because what may be know of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen''. Sheldon shared his experience with many. His new journey began by attending church on a regular basis. As a member of First Baptist Church in Harrison he and Freddie frequently attended church service, events, programs and trips to keep socially connected. In their younger years they loved camping and taking vacations with their daughters. They also loved to attend high school basketball games in Harrison, Lead Hill, Bergman, Mt Judea, Valley Springs, etc. During some of the games he was known to wear his radio headphones to keep up with other games going on that night. He and Freddie travelled all over the country to attend Senior Olympics games of which they participated. Sheldon loved horse shoes, nail-hammering and other activities while Freddie played basketball. While living in Kansas City Sheldon coached Freddie's basketball women's league team. He always supported Freddie in her hobbies, including a trip to Orlando where she participated with her granddaughter, Samantha, on Wheel of Fortune. Sheldon and Freddie played scrabble daily and often multiple times a day. Although she was one of the best he learned the game and could beat her half the time. They participated in many family reunions and often travelled to visit extended family they had never met. Sheldon was always behind the camcorder at family gatherings videotaping everyone else and collected many videos, movies and other programs to share with family and friends.

Sheldon was known for his upbeat, positive attitude. He was always smiling, whistling, snapping his fingers to music, laughing, telling stories, entertaining his grandchildren and enjoying life. He loved music, especially instrumental classical, gospel and old country. He enjoyed church ''singings'' and had an outstanding talent of whistling. If he liked a tune, he would be snapping his fingers, tapping his feet and whistling along without missing a beat.

Sheldon guided his daughters and grandchildren through life and led by example. He was a person of unquestionable integrity. In addition to his highly technical skills, the success of his television repair business was also due to his honesty. He was an honest businessman and grew his business through customer satisfaction. His only advertising was signage on his business vehicle.

Sheldon was known for building or ''fixing'' anything! He would study books in advance of any major project to learn how to do it himself. He had a natural ability in regards to electronics and mechanics. He was a hard worker and unafraid to tackle construction projects like installing a fence or a roof, or adding a room onto their house. He loved the challenge of figuring out how to complete a project. He had the ability to inspect, trouble-shoot and solve complex problems with his work. Along with his technical aspects, Sheldon was also a self-taught artist. He studied books to learn how to paint and spent many hours painting pictures of things that brought him joy such as nature, animals, windmills, birds, etc. He made many posters and signs that they took to the high school basketball games to support their teams.

His grandchildren cherished ''Gramps'' as he spent quality time playing with them, taking them to parks, Branson shows, amusement parks, McDonald's and many other places. They loved their easter egg hunts, nature walks and playing in his backyard while he pushed them in wooden swings he made for them. But one of their favorite characteristics was his ability to share his exciting lifetime stories with them, especially those from growing up on the farm! He told many stories about the shenanigans he and his brother, Ivan, experienced playing on the farm and in the country. He loved to share those stories and they were always anxious to hear another. Despite all of Sheldon's gifts, strengths and talents he was one of the most humble people you would meet.

Visitation is at 1:00 pm and Celebration of Life service is at 2 pm at First Baptist Church with burial following at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Harrison.

Pallbearers include Jeff Wiskur, Rick King, Stephan Kershisnik, Luke Merriman, Paul Swearingen and Eric Wiskur.

While Sheldon will be missed here on earth it is comforting to know he is probably playing Scrabble with Freddie in Heaven or whistling one of his favorite songs.

 

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