Sylvester “Vess” Dwight Walker, 79, passed away peacefully, with his loving family by his side Saturday, March 30, at his home. He is a 58-year resident of Rock Springs resident and former resident of Lyman. He died following advanced stages of Alzheimer’s - Lewy Body Dementia.
He was born April 29, 1944, in Evanston, the son of Dwight B. Walker and Mary Louise Byrne.
Vess attended schools in Lyman and was a 1962 graduate of Lyman High School. He attended Snow College on a basketball scholarship. He later transferred to Western Wyoming Community College and earned his Associate of Arts in Business Administration.
He married Marguerite Bluemel on August 17, 1965, and they had two children. They later divorced.
Vess married Kim Arnoldi Rogers on March 13, 1992 in Las Vegas.
He worked for the City of Rock Springs for 12 years as the Public Works director, retiring April 30, 2015. He previously worked for Rocky Mountain Power for 37 years as operations manager.
Vess was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He was a member of “The Family,” Yellow Jackets, and the B.P.O. Elks #624 Rock Springs.
Vess enjoyed spending time with his family — especially his grandchildren, along with motorcycles and cars.
Survivors include his wife, Kim Rogers of Rock Springs; one son, Chad Walker and wife Lauri of West Jordan, Utah; one daughter, Stacie Kaumo and husband Timothy of Rock Springs; one stepdaughter, Lindsay Elwood and husband Jesse of Hyrum, Utah; three brothers, John Walker and wife Linda of Mountain View, Richard Walker and wife Alona of Rock Springs, and Glen Walker and wife Ziena of Dillon, South Carolina; and two sisters, Kathlene Smith and husband Craig of Robertson and Gail Cowan of Rock Springs.
He is also survived by four brothers-in-law, Thayne Arnoldi of Rock Springs; Mark Arnoldi and wife Darlene of Rock Springs; Lennie Arnoldi of Rock Springs, Shawn Arnoldi and wife Lacey of Rock Springs; one sister-in-law, Joella Tamasauckas of Rock Springs.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Kevin Kaumo and wife Bailey, Krysta Padilla and husband Wesley, Kassidy Garvin and husband T.J., Kolter Kaumo and wife Alexis, Levi Walker, Taelor Pugmire and husband Tyler, Jackson Walker and wife Madison, Harley Walker and Joseph Bingman; seven great-grandchildren, Palmer Garvin, Pierce Sylvester Garvin, Oaklyn Kaumo, Lilac Padilla, Dottie Pugmire, Tyson Walker, and Westen Bingman; several cousins; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight B. Walker and wife Mary Louise; parents-in-law, Joe Arnoldi and wife Carmen; one sister, Amelia Wiseman and husband John; one brother-in-law, David Cowan.
Funeral services were conducted at 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 5, at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, 2055 Edgar St., Rock Springs. Graveside services and interment was conducted at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 5, at the Lyman Cemetery in Lyman.
