Patty Walker

Patty Walker, age 53, of Lyman passed away October 14, 2011 with her husband
by her side after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born at the Naval Air Station, China Lake, California, August 5, 1958 to
Thomas and Shirley Yarbrough. After living in many places around the world
with her father being a Navy officer, she and her family eventually settled in
Florida where Patty joined the LDS church. She served a mission in Alaska for
the LDS church, then settled in Salt Lake City, Utah as a young adult. After
being introduced, on a blind date, she married Clair Walker in the Salt Lake
City Temple August 4, 1983. Clair and Patty started their life together in the
Bridger Valley. They later moved to Roy, Utah and Shepherd, Montana before
returning to the Bridger Valley in 2007. One of their dreams was to have a
large family. They had their first child in 1984, but were unable to have any
more. Undeterred, they began looking into adoption, and eventually became the
parents of ten more adopted children. In 2003 Clair and Patty were awarded the
Congressional Angels in Adoption Award for their "selfless acts of kindness and dedication to making a difference in the lives of children everywhere."
Patty was a very private person, yet she was well-known for her determination
and strong will. Patty enjoyed many family activities, including sewing,
gardening, horse-back riding, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and attending the
LDS Temples. Her son C.J. is currently serving a mission for the LDS church in
the San Jose, California Mission.
Patty is preceded in death by her son, Elijah Joel Walker. She is survived in
death by her parents, Thomas and Shirley Yarbrough, her brother Thomas
Yarbrough Jr., her husband, Clair Walker, their children Christina Tillman,
Samuel Walker, C.J. Walker, Lily Walker, Jacob Walker, Joseph Walker, Benjamin
Walker, James Walker, Adam Walker, Ammon Walker, her Son-in-Law Josh Tillman,
and her grandsons Ethan Tillman, Owen Tillman, and Spencer Tillman.
Friends and family will gather at the Lyman LDS Ward chapel on Friday, October 21, 2011 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Graveside services will be held at the Lyman Cemetery Saturday, October 22 at 1pm with a meal at the Lyman Ward Meeting House immediately following.
(Condolences may be signed at crandallfhevanston.com)