C.W. Walker, 71, of Hampton, last known survivor of the 1974-1975 Detroit Tunnel explosion, passed away March 26, 2014; laid to rest in a private ceremony March 30, 2014.
He was employed by S/P & Joseph Tunnel Construction. He and his brother Billy made sure every man made it to the top of the mine including Buddy.
He guided many miners across the United States and Canada and built tunnels in Lodi, Cal., Detroit, Mich., Greece, N.Y., Atlanta, Ga., Washington, D.C., and Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
In his early years, he and Billy raced cars alongside Wendell Scott of Danville, Va. He went on to be a lifelong fan of NASCAR.
He took a brief break from tunnel mining to raise a humble tobacco farm in Ringgold, Va. Guided by the hand of Ray Dalton, he sold tobacco to Philip Morris, Richmond, Va. He then returned to mine tunnels.
After retirement he settled in Hampton, with teaching of John Godfrey PM 197 and rose to Past Worshipful Master, Masonic Temple 197, Hampton.
Per his wife’s request on March 23 he received first and last rites into the Catholic faith by Father Prince Immaculate Conception with special consideration by Monsignor Michael McCarhon of Lynchburg, Va., at the request of his daughter.
He was guided into Heaven by all the miners of the Detroit Tunnel disaster and good friends, Eldridge (Bubba) McCann of Danville, “Nookie” PM 197, Al Justice PM 197, Walter Lee PM 197 Tyler.
He was preceded in death by father, Willie Walker of White Oak Mountain; mother, Eula Mae Doss of Sandy Level, Va.; two brothers, W.T. and Billy Walker; three sisters, Adean, Barbara and Lucille; a niece, Terry K. Wyatt; a great-nephew, Chris Perrow; a great-niece, Tyler Marie DeAngelis; three sisters-in-law, Theresa, Wilma, and JoAnn Walker; a brother-in-law, Alan Wyatt.
Survivors include his wife, Loretta Walker; two sons, Eddie and wife Joann of N.C., and John “Scott” and wife Kitty of Newport News; a daughter, W. Walker of Gloucester; five grandchildren, Rocky John “Stick” and Eddie Wayne “Boo” Walker, Shawn Alan “Bubba” and Joseph Cody Theodore “Joe” Hillman, Danielle Renee “Baby Girl” Walker; three great-grandchildren, Rocky John Jr. and Paris Rose Walker, Christian Scott Saunders (Hillman); four sisters, Reva Doolin Parker, Patricia and Darden Beggarly, Linda and William Powell, Bobbie Jean Milam; four brothers, J.T. Walker, Samuel and Karen Walker (Arizona), Robert and Janie Walker, Donald and Stacy Walker; and Eula’s nephew, Douglas Doss; Adean’s son, Buddy and Mitzi Wyatt.
His family originated in the Allegheny Mountains and many remain there today.
Special thanks to Hicks Island, Lanexa, Bull Island, and all of PaPa’s Guinea boys.
A vigil will be held at high noon, Sunday, April 27, at his daughter’s home, 6181 Shady Lane, Gloucester. Any photos and memories will be appreciated at the vigil. All are welcome from miners to moonshiners.