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Rev. Raymond E. Walker

By Joshua Smith

STAFFORD - Rev. Raymond E. Walker, 77, of Stafford, passed away Wednesday, (May 27, 2020), at Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Rochester.

Rev. Walker was born October 3, 1942, in Rochester, a son of the late William and Audrey (Hesson) Walker.

Rev. Walker graduated from Byron-Bergen Central School and enlisted in the Marine Corps.  Following his service to the country, Ray became a Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy while attending Roberts Wesleyan College where he earned his Master's Degree.  Following college, Rev. Walker began his teaching career as a history teacher at Batavia Middle School.  He moved to North Carolina where he worked in the court system and became an ordained minister in 1980.  Eventually, he returned to Batavia where he was the Assistant Principal at Batavia High School until retiring in 2005. 

Retirement did not last long as he began teaching inmates through Genesee Community College.  Following his work with GCC, Ray ran the Residential Program at the NYS School for the Blind.  Rev. Walker served as pastor of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Batavia for several years followed by the First Baptist Church of Batavia prior to his retirement just a few years ago.  An accomplished vocalist, Ray was trained at the Eastman School of Music and enjoyed performing at various churches.

He is the husband of Virginia (Farrell) Walker of Stafford.  The two were married August 4, 2007. 

Surviving along with his wife are his children, Raymond D. Walker of Rochester, Charles T. Wille of Kentucky, and Justin J. Wille of Missouri; sisters Delaine (Halbard) Pinkcett and Susan (Abram) Cotton both of Rochester; sisters-in-law Kathleen (late Bill) Farrell of Maryland and Eileen Farrell of New Hampshire. Several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

Ray is preceded in death by a son, James C. Walker; a brother, Thomas H. Walker; and sisters, Audrey Walker and Ella Griffin.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public visitation.  A funeral service will be held privately for his family at the First Baptist Church of Batavia.  A public graveside service of interment will be held on Tuesday (June 2, 2020) at 11:00 a.m. in Mt. Rest Cemetery, Bergen.  Those wishing to attend are asked to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rev. Walker's memory may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607.

Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

The H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 E. Main Street, Batavia was entrusted by Rev. Walker's family with his arrangements.

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