Walter Lee Barker

Walt Barker was born on April 27, 1934, in Mitchell, Indiana, to David and Edith Barker. He was the youngest of five siblings—Roy, Maurice (“Duckie”), William (“Hoodo”), and JoAnne—and the older brother to his sister Sandy. Walt grew up in the warmth of a close-knit family, surrounded by the small-town community and the simple joys of life. His mother affectionately called him “Joy,” a fitting reflection of the positivity and light he carried with him wherever he went.

As a child, Walt worked in his father’s general store and developed a love for sports, playing football at Mitchell High School. His athletic talent earned him a spot at Franklin College, where he continued to play football while working at a concrete plant, lifting 50-pound bags to pay his way. Walt often credited those long, tough days with giving him the strong forearms and grip strength he carried through life.

After transferring to Indiana University, Walt met the love of his life, Roberta “Bobbie” Dillard. They married, had their first son, Michael, and both graduated—Walt with a degree in Accounting, and Bobbie with a degree in Education.

Walt began his career at Stark and Wetzel, a meatpacking plant in Indianapolis, where he and Bobbie raised their growing family. In Indianapolis, they welcomed Susan and Charles, and their home was close enough to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that they could hear the roar of race cars from their front yard. Walt’s love of sports continued in Indianapolis, where he learned to golf with his brother Hoodo at the Speedway Golf Course and played fast-pitch softball in a local league. He was not only one of the league’s best players but also one of the few to ever hit a home run off the legendary Eddie Feigner of The King and His Court.

In 1961, Walt accepted a position as a cost accountant with H.H. Meyer Meat Packing Company, and the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. They initially rented a home on Springdale Road before settling into the house on Sagecrest Drive—the family home for many years. Walt and Bobbie formed lifelong friendships with neighbors like the Greens, Grimmes, Eulers, and Vells. Walt was a devoted father who rarely missed a game, match, or school event. His love of sports remained a constant in his life: he was a skilled bowler, a champion golfer who won the Neumann Golf Course Club Championship multiple times, and a dedicated slow-pitch softball player well into his forties.

One of Walt and Bobbie’s proudest accomplishments was seeing their children graduate from college. They were thrilled to see that dream come true many times over, with Michael earning a degree in Engineering, Susan in Education, and Charles in Accounting—each of them later earning advanced degrees, exceeding their parents’ hopes.

Walt and Bobbie also delighted in being active, loving grandparents. They cherished the time spent with their grandchildren: Jennifer Hemmingway and Jonathan Barker, children of Charles and April Barker; Jessica Wilkens-Hartley and Courtney Werdman, daughters of Susan Wilkens and the late Mike Wilkens; and Taylor and Trevor Barker, children of Mike and Donna Barker. Also well as his great-grandchildren: Emerson and Everett Hemmingway and Harley Werdman. 

Walt found happiness in life’s simpler pleasures. He loved betting on horses, enjoying a good night at the craps table, and engaging in a competitive game of cards. His sharp mind made him an excellent bridge player, a pastime he enjoyed throughout his life.

Walt lived by a core set of values, but above all, he wanted to be remembered for the unconditional love he had for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His legacy is one of joy, devotion, and quiet strength—a life well-lived, full of love and laughter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Walt’s memory to Side by Side/BLOC Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit organization serving youth and families in Northwest Cincinnati. Side by Side is 100% volunteer-led and positively impacts the lives of children, youth, and adults through ten programs, including tutoring, mentoring, community service, and food and book distribution. Learn more at www.onebloc.org or on Facebook at SideBySideCinci.