Anthony Walker Sr., affectionately known as Tony, was born August 18, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the fifth of six children born to the late Benjamin Sr and Fannie (Crum) Walker. He peacefully entered his heavenly home on February 20, 2025, at the wonderful home he made for his family.

Tony graduated from Central High School, Class of 1956. Not too long after graduating he married his loving and devoted wife, Joyce Isham (Chicken) in 1958. To this union five children were born. Tony and Chicken celebrated 66 years of marriage on June 28, 2024.

Tony worked for the R&O/B&O Railroad as an apprentice for 7 years, then for Union Terminal for almost 7 years before his father encouraged him to join General Motors in Norwood. He retired from General Motors in September 1989. After retiring, he took on a part time job delivering flowers for Benken Florist until an illness led to him having his first open heart surgery for a leaky valve.

Tony loved to do so many different things, and he was particularly good at a lot of them. He enjoyed singing, listening to oldie but goodies music, playing poker, and going to the casino. He enjoyed visiting with friends and family, attending lunches with the Friends from GM or seniors at the senior center. Tony and Chicken were social butterflies. Before his health began to decline, it was hard to keep up with them because they were always doing something.

Tony introduced his family to bowling and although in his later years he was not able to bowl, he got so much joy in watching his family (especially his grandkids) and friend’s bowl.

Tony was an avid skater, and he could dance. Tony and Chicken would light up the dance floor at every dance they attended.

If you are looking for pictures of Tony, it may be hard to find because he also was the person behind the camera at every event. He loved to capture the precious moments with his family, and it was just as nice to see the joy he had when playing them all back as if it was happening all over again.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sisters, Joseph Walker, Ester West, Ella Segar, Benjamin Walker Jr., Michael Walker. Tony leaves to cherish his memory his wife Joyce (Chicken); his children, Antonia Gilyard and husband Kenneth Sr, Darlene McWhorter and her husband Charles, Anthony Walker Jr. and his wife Catherine, Orlandia Lynn, DeAnna Pickett and her husband John III. Grandchildren, Kenneth Gilyard Jr., Jason Gilyard, Courtney Gilyard, Yah-Ner Walker, Ras-Haile Inman, Calah Inman, Micah Inman, Iyana Inman, Menelik Inman, Adina Inman, Addi Inman, Devyn Walker, Stephanie Benton (Rodney), Joshua Pickett, John Pickett IV, Mary Pickett, Joycelyn Pickett, Jasmine Pickett, DeJah Pickett. 46 Great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousin and friends.

Visitation is from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Greater St. John AME Zion Church, 772 Whittier Street, Cincinnati (45229). The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 am. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy he leaves behind.

Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45232.

To share a memory of Anthony or leave a special message for the Walker family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post." Walker Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Walker family during this difficult time. Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.