Kenny Eugene Walker

Kenny Eugene Walker, 66, of Hiawassee, passed away at home on June 9 th , 2024, surrounded by
his family after a brief but valiant battle with ampullary cancer.
Kenny was born on May 29, 1958, to Bib and Kitty Walker in Madison, West Virginia, the fifth
of six children. When his high school graduation was on the horizon, his father pulled him aside
and offered to “put in a good word for him at the mine” so he could follow in his footsteps as a
coal miner. Kenny, when recounting this story, would say, “And I thought, I don’t know what I
want to do, but I don’t think that is it”. He developed a love for woodworking in his high school
shop class. He made his first cherry bedroom suite at age sixteen. Kenny had made many trips to
Berea College in Berea, Kentucky while helping his older sisters move onto campus to begin
their studies. He decided to apply. When speaking of his acceptance to this prestigious and
academically competitive institution, Kenny would often laugh and say, “They must have needed
male bodies that year”. At Berea, Kenny worked in the world-renowned college woodcraft
studio, and as a professor's assistant in the industrial arts education department. He also worked
for Warren A. May in his acclaimed dulcimer and custom furniture studio.
At Berea, Kenny also met his second love who quickly surpassed his love of woodworking, his
wife Vicki Cunningham. They married in August 1979, after only knowing each other a few
months. They settled in Vicki’s hometown of Hiawassee in 1989. Their nearly 45-year marriage
was filled with love, patience, and kindness. Their love for each other was apparent to all who
crossed their paths. Their successful marriage was built upon a solid foundation of their
partnership.
It was in Hiawassee that Kenny built his business, Walker Woodworks. He intentionally
maintained a small shop that produced high-quality work. His custom cabinetry and furniture
were highly sought after and often waited upon by many. Kenny worked independently for many
years until he was asked by a local builder he respected, Bryan Underwood, to come work for
him as a carpenter. During this time, Kenny worked alongside coworkers who quickly became
friends, and then family, and they created many beautiful homes in the surrounding areas that
will last for decades to come.
Kenny's dedication to his woodworking was only matched by his dedication to his family. Kenny
was a devoted father to his two daughters. In his early years of fatherhood, he could often be
found braiding hair and painting nails. His daughters spent many days in his shop building boats
for their Barbies out of scrap wood, and later larger projects alongside him. He taught them to
always measure twice and cut once and made sure they had fully stocked toolboxes and the skills
to use them well. He was always just a phone call away and would answer on the first ring as his
cell phone was always tucked in the zipper pocket of his signature Liberty overalls. Kenny
always encouraged his daughters to follow their dreams even if it meant he would help them
move... again. When speaking of “his girls” to friends and loved ones would smile and say, we
raised them to be independent and fly but we didn’t know they would fly so far.
As all of us who love Kenny move forward and navigate a world without him, we hold close to
our hearts all of our wonderful memories of him, the skills he bestowed upon us, and his advice
to go out and live life to the fullest.
Kenny was preceded in death by his father, Bib Walker. He is survived by his wife, Vicki,
daughters, Lindsey Walker and Emily Stevens (Troy), granddaughter Teresa, faithful companion
(Kudzu), grand-dogs (Claire, Clutch, Paul, Georgia).
He is survived by his mother, Kathryn “Kitty” Walker. His siblings, who also survive him, held a
special place in his heart: John Walker, Nancy Hale (Jerry), Rada Walker (Ike), Deloris Aultman
(Phil), Kevin Walker (Shawna), and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who
became family.
A visitation with family will be held at Banister's funeral home on Thursday, June 13, 2024 from
5pm-8pm. At Kenny's request, a private celebration of life will occur at a later date with
immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Towns
County Habitat for Humanity (https://www.townsunionhabitat.org) or Berea College
(https://www.berea.edu).

Visitation: Thursday, June 13, 2024 5:00-8:00 at Banister-Cooper Funeral Home