Leslie Walker

Mrs. Leslie Jane Manifold Walker, 77, of Kerrville, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020. She was born on August 18, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska to Kenneth Manifold and Bettie Meisinger Manifold. \r\n\r\nLeslie's father was serving in the US Army in the European and North African Theaters of World War II when she was born. Leslie was three years old when he came home from the war and he decided to continue serving his country as a career US Army Officer. Their family was stationed in Omaha, Nebraska, Ft. Lewis, Washington, Camp Stoneman, California, Ft. Benning, Georgia, Tokyo, Japan, Ft. Riley, Kansas and Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. As an only child in a military family, Leslie learned the art of and value of making new friends wherever she moved. These friendships continued in spite of frequent moves all over the country. Fortunately, Leslie's father received orders to serve at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana where Leslie attended high school at University School. As a freshman, Leslie met Dick Walker, a sophomore and they dated through high school and college at Indiana University. Leslie was active in many campus activities and organizations, including Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, where she formed many life long friendships. She graduated with a degree in Education in 1964. \r\n\r\nLeslie's father encouraged Dick to join the US Army and he was commissioned as an Officer shortly before he and Leslie were married on June 25,1965. Leslie was thrilled she and her husband were following the tradition of her parents and loved her role as an Army Officer's wife. Dick completed three one year tours in Vietnam. Their first child, Shelley, was born during his second tour and their second child, Eric was born a year after his last tour of Vietnam. Leslie and Dick were stationed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ft. Benning, Georgia, Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, Ft. Sheridan, Illinois and Ft. Stewart, Georgia.\r\n\r\nLeslie loved being his wife, raising their children, supporting fellow Army wives and families in Family Readiness groups and serving in the garden clubs of each Army Post they were assigned. She loved entertaining and socializing as an Army wife and taught painting and art classes to the other wives. While serving as the Commander of his Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, her husband died suddenly while on active duty at the age of 38. Following his death, Leslie and her children moved to Kerrville, TX to be near her parents.\r\n\r\nWhile enrolling her children in school, Leslie was immediately offered a teaching job at Ingram Elementary School. She taught First Grade at Ingram Elementary from 1979 through 2004. Leslie loved each of her students and their families in Ingram, TX. She continued the role of both Mom and Dad for her children providing them with stability and love. Leslie's greatest joy was in her role as grandmother to Eric's daughter, Adara Richelle Walker. Some of her happiest moments were at dance and swim team practices and many of Adara's academic events and celebrations. Leslie's Christian faith was incredibly important to her and she was a life long Lutheran. After her retirement, Leslie taught Sunday School and served on the School Board of the church's school. Leslie served as a Mentor to students at Ingram Elementary from 2005-2015, continuing her love of teaching in the community that had embraced her in 1979. \r\n\r\nLeslie is survived by her daughter, Shelley E. Walker, her son Eric K. Walker and her granddaughter, Adara Richelle Walker. She is also survived by three nephews MGy Sgt USMC (Ret.) Jeffrey R. Wilson and wife, Sherri of Swansboro, NC, Gregory L. Wilson and wife, Kathy of Bloomington, IN and SGM (Ret.) Richard K. Wilson and wife, Kim of Granbury, TX, three great nephews Joseph Theodore Wilson, Jefferson Lee Wilson, and Kyle Bash Wilson, one great great niece Kaitlynn RaeAnn Wilson and two great great nephews Nolan David Wilson and William Scott Wilson.\r\n\r\nLeslie was predeceased by her parents Lt. Col (Ret.) Kenneth and Bettie Manifold, her husband Major Richard B. Walker, her sister-in-law Georgann Wilson, her parents-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Ted and Martha Rogers and her great niece, Amanda Lynn Wilson.\r\n\r\nOur family wishes to thank Hilltop Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Dr. James Young and Peterson Hospice for their loving care of Mrs. Walker. \r\n\r\nAfter much thought and consideration of Leslie's concern for others, we have decided to postpone her memorial service at this time. We will let you know about future plans to celebrate her life when it's safe for everyone. She will be interred with her husband at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX. \r\n\r\nMemorial contributions in Mrs. Walker's honor may be made to Summer Dreams/Camp Honey Creek PO Box 140, Hunt, TX 78024 or K-9s for Warriors at https://www.k9sforwarriors.org/. We believe these organizations best reflect her love for children, animals and veterans.