James William (Jimmy) Walker, age 74, of 825 Harmon Circle, Roanoke, Virginia, and also of Fork Farm Road, Eagle Rock, died Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem.

He fought a long and courageous battle with diabetes and kidney failure.

He was born September 1, 1943 in Clifton Forge, Virginia, to the late Freddie Oscar and Carula "Tott" Scott Walker.

Jimmy served in the United States Navy and was a retired Virginia State Trooper of Rockingham County.

He was a member of Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church and the Clifton Forge Elks Lodge # 1065 B.P.O.E.

He loved golf and was an avid baseball fan, but his true passion was spending time at his camp on the Cowpasture River.

He is survived by his loving wife, Peggy Wright Walker of Roanoke; his father-in-law and wife, Richard C. and Audrey C. Wright of Bridgewater; his mother-in-law, Nancy M. Wright of Roanoke; a brother-in-law and wife, Robert C. and Sarah Wright of Durango, CO; a sister-in-law and husband, Marilyn W. and Lynn Shoemaker of Thomasville, PA: nieces and nephews, Rebecca Shoemaker and fiance, Scott Gilbert, Katie Shoemaker Wells and husband, Josh, Reid Wright, Kimberly Wright, and Maxx Wright; great niece and great nephews, Dallas Wingert, Owen Wingert, Wyatt Wells, Kalli Wells, and Liam Gilbert; numerous cousins; and many wonderful friends and neighbors.

In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, with Pastor Bryan Lawrence officiating. There will be no formal visitation at the funeral home, but the family will visit with friends at a reception following the service, and at any time at the residence in Roanoke.

The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org.