Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

December 17, 2024

CHARLOTTE – William Kent Walker, Sr., affectionately known as “Grandpa Sir” (though he preferred “Most Honored and Revered Grandfather Sir”), died peacefully at age 85 on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

Kent’s love of people, quick wit, easy laugh, and kind heart were a blessing to family, long-time friends, and new acquaintances alike. His generosity and lively spirit could warm a room, and memories of him will long brighten our lives. He will be greatly missed. 

Kent was born on May 19, 1939, in Washington, DC, to the late Aline Conard and William O’Harra Walker. Following World War II, his family moved from Washington to Iowa, California, Michigan and South Carolina, before settling in Charlotte in 1955, where Kent attended Myers Park High School for two years, graduating in 1957. At Myers Park, he was a member of a much-feared Mustang football backfield that has remained close ever since. He graduated in 1961 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and an ever-faithful Tar Heel, spending each summer eagerly awaiting football season. He’ll be watching Bill Belichick’s every move carefully.

Following graduation, Kent worked for several years for First Union National Bank, in both Charlotte and Wilmington, until moving into the commercial real estate industry in Charlotte. As an active participant in shaping the Charlotte landscape over several decades, he was particularly proud of his role in the creation and building of the Bank of America Corporate Center and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Always a teacher at heart, perhaps the role in his work life that he most enjoyed was mentoring and training younger real estate professionals, many of whom still benefit from the attention and guidance he afforded them.

Kent was a dedicated member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon and Elder. He loved and faithfully served his Church and his Lord throughout his life, particularly through the Rhodes-Johnston-Boyce Sunday School class and his Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study.

Taking after his parents, Kent was an avid and accomplished amateur golfer, once winning the Kemper Open pro-am with Tony Jacklin. He was a member of Charlotte Country Club for almost 60 years, where he regularly played with a steady rotation of golf partners, including his children and grandchildren, who learned much about life seeing the game through his eyes.

True to his nickname, Grandpa Sir was genuinely honored, revered and loved by his family: his wife of over 30 years, Judith Culp Walker; son, William Kent Walker, Jr. and wife Gaby, and their children, Kent and Cristina; daughter, Genie Walker Scheurer and husband Chris, and their children, Avery, Philip and Margaret; sister, Joy Walker Browne; Judy’s daughter, Anne Wilson Payne and husband Carter, and their children Will and Stephen; Judy’s son, James Douglas Wilson, Jr. and wife Amy, and their children, Charlie and Ibby; Judy’s son, Daniel Culp Wilson and wife Ann, and their children, Ada, Rosie, Webb and Ellerbe; his beloved dog, Sarah; and many other extended family members.

Kent’s family would like to express its heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Charles Edwards, and to the dedicated nurses and caregivers of Embrace Health at Southminster and VIA Health Partners Hospice.

A memorial service celebrating Kent’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, with a reception to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kent’s memory to Myers Park Presbyterian Church (2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207) or the Southminster Community Fund (8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210).

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.