Thomas H. "TW" Walker, 80, of Vermillion passed away Thursday, October 1, 2009, of natural causes.

     TW was born June 2, 1929, in St. Joseph, MO to Ward and Jane Glen (Hutton) Walker.  TW graduated from Vermillion High School in 1947, and attended South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD.  He married Josephine "Jo" Heath on August 17, 1952 in Vermillion.  Jo passed away in 1998.

     TW is survived by a daughter; Sara Melstad of Elkhorn, NE, and two sons:  Richard (Brenda) Walker and John (Glenda) Walker, Vermillion.  TW had seven grandchildren:  Jenny (Jason) Cary, NE, Dani (Jayme) Schaaf, stationed in Germany, Brittany, Washington State and McKinsey Weydert, Minnesota, Amber, Thomas and Noah Walker, Vermillion.  Also, TW and special friend, Geri Turner, Vermillion, enjoyed each others companionship and friendship.

     Tom farmed and raised cattle early in life.  He was Street Superintendent for the City of Vermillion for 10 years.  Tom owned and operated Walker's Asphalt with his son John for 6 years.  As a young boy growing up John was part of TW's business ventures.  Later TW and John formed together Walker's Construction.  TW and John were always seen working together and "making deals."  Later in life TW thoroughly enjoyed driving school bus for many sporting events for the Vermillion School District.

     He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, the Eagles, the Vermillion Volunteer Fire Dept, and a past member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Vermillion.

     Funeral services, open to the community will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermillion, 10:30 am Tuesday, October 6, with Pastor Ed Anderson officiating.  Burial will follow in the Bluff View Cemetery in Vermillion.  Visitation will be 5 - 7 pm Monday, October 5 with a prayer service at 7:00 pm all at the church.