Dilles Raymond Walker

Dilles Raymond Walker, age 77, passed away suddenly at his Gladwin home on Christmas Day 2015. Dilles was born June 1, 1938 in Cass City, the son of the late Dilles Wellington & Lilah (Loomis) Walker. He was the third in his family to be given the name Dilles, and two generations since have carried on the name. Dilles was a cowboy at heart since he was a child and learned to drive his first team of horses from his grandfather. He cared deeply for his animals and his children would recount years later that the horses always ate before they did. One of the last of a dying breed, Dilles traveled the country and helped to tame the West. He was united in marriage with the former Carolyn May Tedder on October 6, 1972, and she preceded him in death on September 23, 2005. In 1984, Dilles applied his skills as a cowboy with the Department of Corrections in Florence, Arizona as a member of a K-9 unit that tracked escaped prisoners and performed countless search and rescue missions. He retired in 1996 and eventually settled in Gladwin, where he continued to farm and care for his animals. His spare time was often filled with Wild West reenactments, building wagons, or making leather equipment and authentic cowboy clothing. Dilles is survived by six children and their spouses, Kathleen & David Muz of Caro, Charlotte & Mark Kish of Caro, Dilles Allen & Susan Walker of Aberdeen, North Carolina, Brian & Summer Walker of Humboldt, Colorado, Clint & Karen Walker of Akron, Colorado, Virgene & Curtis Higby of Great Bend, Kansas; twenty-eight grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three siblings and their spouses, Bertha & George Alley, Richard & Debbie Walker, Harold Walker; his first wife, Dolores Tait of Caro; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Carolyn, Dilles was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters, Leo Paul, John, and Robert A. Walker, Elsie Walker, Marion Mapes and Noreen Hoolbrook; and his beloved coyote, Sissy. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at the Caro United Methodist Church with Rev. Gregg Mayberry officiating. Burial will follow at East Dayton Cemetery in Caro. The family will be present to receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Walker Family Discretionary Fund, c/o Charlotte Kish, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, Michigan 48723 or the American Cancer Society. Visitation Information Date: Saturday, January 2, 2016 Time: 10:00 am End Time: 11:00 am Caro United Methodist Church Address: 989-673-2246 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Saturday, January 2, 2016 Time: 11:00 am Caro United Methodist Church Address: 989-673-2246 | Map Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at the Caro United Methodist Church with Rev. Gregg Mayberry officiating. Cemetery Information Date: Saturday, January 2, 2016 Burial will follow at East Dayton Cemetery in Caro.