Ronald Boyd Walker

Ronald Boyd Walker, 81, a longtime former resident of Glen St. Mary passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 23, 2024, at the Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home in St. Augustine, Florida.  Ronald was born in Lake City, Florida on July 8, 1943, the son of the late Elijah James “Lige” Walker and Lula Karelle (Stonecypher) Walker.   His parents moved their family to Pine Top, located west of Glen St. Mary, Florida in 1945 where he was raised.  He graduated from Baker County High School, Class of 1961.

After high school Ronald joined the Merchant Marines which took him to Egypt, other parts of Africa, India, Spain and places around the world.  He served in the Army where he was an M.P.   After completing his military service, he returned home to Florida.  He worked in law enforcement as a Deputy Sheriff for the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and later for the Baker County Sheriff’s Office until he retired.  He was married to Betty Elaine (Harvey) Walker for 56 years, having married in 1968.

Mr. Walker was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jamie Kay (Walker) Burnett. Survivors Include his wife, Betty Elaine Walker of Jacksonville; two daughters, Kimberly Kay (Craig) Laidman of Jacksonville, Jana Lee (Roland) Hernandez of Macclenny, two grandchildren, Ashlyn Kay (Kaleb) Laidman Dickerson of Dacono, Colorado, and Jarod Laidman of Jacksonville, one brother Douglas Scott Walker of Glen St. Mary, and three nephews, John (Kathy) Burnett of Chambersburg, PA, James Douglas (Kathy) Burnett and Jason (Leslie) Burnett of Jacksonville along with several cousins and other relatives.

Funeral services for Ronald Walker will be held Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 11 A.M. in the Chapel of Guerry Funeral Home in Macclenny, Florida. Visitation and gathering with the family will be held one hour prior, from 10 to 11 A.M. Interment will follow at the Jacksonville National Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.