Ulyessess Walker

Ulyesses Walker, age 94, passed away peacefully at home on April 25, 2026 surrounded by his loving family-his girls- who stayed by his side until the very end. He  leaves behind a legacy of strength, wisdom, and deep love for his family and community.  

Born on December 14, 1931, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Myrtle Moore and Reverand Robert Lee Walker, he was the third oldest of 17 siblings. He later made Michigan his home, where he built a life centered around, family, hard work, and community. 

He met the love of his life, Virginia Mae, when she was 22 and he was 36. Together, they shared 53 years of marriage and 58 years together, remaining inseparable throughout their journey. 

Ulyesses was a strong man and a true jack of all trades who took no mess from anyone. He loved fishing, hunting, farming and working with his hands. He owned a well-known farm in Eau Claire, Michigan, where he also enjoyed riding horses. He was also a dancer—light and loose on his feet—and always kept a Cadillac, carrying himself with style wherever he went. 

His home on Pearl Street was always open—everyone was welcome, and many found comfort, guidance and memories within its walls. He always had Dobermans by his side until his tragic accident, a reflection of his strong and loyal nature. 

To know him was to love him—but you also knew not to make him mad and to stay off his grass. Everyone who knew him has a story to tell, no matter how long they were around him.

At the age of 76, a tragic accident changed the course of his life. For the next 18 years, he was lovingly cared for by his devoted wife Virginia, his daughter Cat, and his granddaughter Khadijah. His great-granddaughters never missed a beat in caring for him, and he quickly became known as “Pa-Pa", deeply cherished by all of them.

Ulyesses lived a long and meaningful life. Being around him meant you were going to learn something you would never forget. He was deeply loved, and his presence will be missed beyond words. 

Precious memories will forever live in the heart of his loving wife, Virginia Mae Walker. 

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters: Yolanda (Thomas) Walker Bates of Benton Harbor, MI; Desiree (Marquis) Holland of Nashville, TN; Eleanor Walker of Kalamazoo, MI; Paula Stinson of Pensacola, FL; and Victoria Burns of Chicago, IL; and one son Ulyesses Echols of Fairborn, OH. 

He is also survived by his granddaughters: Khadijah Walker, Monique (Michael) Shannon, Marquita Head, Yolanda Burns, Latoya Davidson, and Danielle (Holden) Whiteside; and grandsons: Robert Walker, Marcus Head, Paris Echols, Robert Stinson, Bill Stinson, Jartavious Wilson and Lamar Purnell.

Sisters: Susie (Robert) Jackson of Muskegon Heights, MI , Bernetta of Ann Arbor, MI and Jean Lou of Atlanta, GA. 

Special great grandchildren: Nyomi, Nailah, Neveah, Michael, Arianna, and Abel.

He is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a large circle of family and friends near and far. 

Ulyesses is proceeded in death by his mother Myrtle; father Rev. Robert Lee, son Rick Cockrell, daughter Sherry Walker, 6 brothers, 8 sisters, 2 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

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