Big Spring Red Raider
fan honored |
[courtesy of "Bob E"]
Grave marker for Arvie E.
and Anna F, Walker in Trinity Memorial Park, Big Spring (Howard
county), Texas.
Arvie
was assigned draft slot 11,86 by his local draft board
and subsequently received the infamous "Greetings from
the President" letter although the date of receipt is
unknown. [see
full page}
On 22 August 1944 Sgt
Walker was transferred to Service Company, 508th PIR
from the 10th Replacement Depot. It wasn't until
31 August that the Big Spring Herald carried this
article saying that Arvie had transferred from the
infantry to a jump school (undoubtedly at Cottesmore) in
England.
Sgt Walker was later
awarded the Bronze Service Arrowhead device for his
participation in the Normandy assault.
After returning to Texas,
Arvie
and his fiancé, Anna Rice, applied for a marriage
license on 26 June 1946. They were married two
days later.
. |
Holiday Inn South
recently opened a new 480-square-foot suite and has named it in
honor of a former guest and avid Red Raider fan, the late Arvie
Walker of Big Spring. Steve Arrison, general manager of Holiday
Inn South, said Walker was a frequent guest and a favorite among the
motel's staff in the years prior to his death in late 1988.
"He hadn't missed a home game at Texas Tech since 1967," Arrison
said, "and when we opened here in 1975, he stayed here for every
game."
Walker was a geologist, consultant, and independent oilman,
according to Arrison. He graduated from Texas Tech in 1948 and was
an |
avid fan and supporter. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division
during WWII before going into the oil business.
"Mr. Walker was a very extraordinary man and a favorite with our
staff. We are proud to honor him in this way," Arrison said."
The suite features two bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen with
refrigerator
and micro-wave, stereo system, stereo television with VCR, speaker
phone, fax service and a large conference table seat-ing eight.
Arrison said, 'When we were looking for a name for the new suite,
someone said why not call it the Walker Suite for Mr., Walker. So
that is what it will be called." |