William Emerson Walker, longtime community leader and friend, passed away Tuesday at his home in Sarver after an accident.

He was born Dec. 21, 1926, the second son of the late Ira and Fanny Walker.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Grayce Bair Walker, to whom he was married from Dec. 27, 1945, until her passing June 26, 2007.

Bill attended Tarentum High School, Class of 1945, and Rutgers University's Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Following his high school years, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served with honor in both World War II and Korea, rising from private to first lieutenant. His Army discharge came after he was seriously wounded at the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge in 1951 in Korea for which he was awarded the Purple Heart.

Bill returned home to Pennsylvania to begin a banking career at First National Bank of Tarentum as a clerk. He remained with that institution through numerous promotions and entity changes, ultimately retiring as chairman and CEO of Union National Bank of Pittsburgh.

Bill was a longtime member of Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church, where he was an active congregant and held many positions of leadership, including ordained elder and deacon. Bill was also an active member and former president of the Alle-Kiski Health Foundation, where he was instrumental in fundraising and improving services at Allegheny Valley Hospital.

Bill was a warm and generous man, who loved entertaining friends. He hosted numerous church picnics and hospital fundraising events at his Sarver home, where friends and family were always welcome. He also loved to travel, visiting Europe, Australia, China and a host of destinations within the United States.

He supported many charitable endeavors, most notably Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church and the Allegheny Valley YMCA. For many years, Bill provided boxes of Christmas candy for all of the children at the Mars Home for Children.

Bill was known for encountering friends wherever he went, even on trips to Europe. He loved to play guitar and organ and especially enjoyed playing for his grandchildren, who were the light of his life.

The comment most frequently made about Bill was, "He is a true gentleman." He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Bill is survived by daughters Holly Walker of Cranford, N.J., and Laurie (Richard) VanTine of Sarver; son Scott (Lisa) Walker of Sarver; eight grandchildren, Sandra Guilfoyle of Dayton, Ohio, Renata Engel of Kettering, Ohio, Stephanie VanTine, Jaimie VanTine, Ryan Walker and Kaylee Walker, all of Sarver and Elizabeth Hopta and Katie Walker of Cranford, N.J.; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Thomas Walker of Tavares, Fla.; sisters Mabel Scully of Curtisville, and Florence (Charles) Huthmaker of Benton, Ark.; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

<B>WALKER</B> — Friends of William Emerson Walker, who died Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at <B>Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home Inc.</B>, 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights, 724-224-8688. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church, Broadview Boulevard, Natrona Heights. Everyone is to meet at the church. Burial will be at Mount Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church or the Alle-Kiski Health Foundation.