MADISON - Russell H. Walker, age 103, of Madison, Wis., passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025. He was born on February 10, 1922, in the Town of Kingston, to Ray and Lydia Walker. He lived in Kingston, Wis., Fergus Falls, Minn., Baraboo, Wis., and finally, Madison, Wis.

Russell married Patricia Kennedy in Baraboo on June 15, 1946. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 in the 5th Airdrome Squadron as part of the 8th Air Force. He was an armaments inspector and was stationed in Northern Ireland where they assembled fighters and bombers that had been shipped over from the states, and trained bomber crews on the B-26. He participated in the Badger Honor Flight in 2013.

As a carpenter, Russell helped build many of the new neighborhoods in Madison in the ‘60s and ‘70s. When he wasn't working, he built and renovated homes for friends, family, and neighbors. He worked on the Wisconsin Capitol renovation in the ‘90s. An avid woodworker, he built furniture as well as turned bowls, lamps, and candlestick holders. Using quilt patterns, he made card tables and wall hangings, many with hundreds of individually cut pieces of wood from around the world.

His garden was his pride and joy. He always planted more than his family could eat and enjoyed sharing the bounty with neighbors and friends. His love of aviation led him to attend the Oshkosh airshow for 40 years.

Russell was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Patricia; daughter, Diane Pecho; son, Paul Walker; and sister, Pearl Johnson. He is survived by his sons, Bruce, Neil, David and Mark (Jacki); nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of the service on Monday.

The family would like to thank the staff at Madison Pointe and Bristol Hospice for making their dad comfortable in his final days. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Russell’s name may be made to Bristol Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Russell H Walker

February 10, 1922 - March 30, 2025

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