ERNEST CLAYTON WALKER, SR.

“THE FINAL TOUCH”

Ernest Clayton Walker, Sr., 62, of Beaumont, Texas, crossed over to be with his “Heavenly Father” Tuesday, March 8, 2011, following a fierce battle with cancer at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.  He was a gifted musician and singer who learned from his father and then passed on his gifts to his son, country music singer Clay Walker as well as nieces and nephews.  He will be remembered thru his children and family whom he adored.

When his son asked him, “Daddy, what do you think heaven is like?” He replied “it is there for us each one to know individually. You don’t know God thru someone else, you know God by your personal relationship with Him. And you’re gonna know heaven the same way.”  He also, said “this is the most important time of my life; this is the “Final Touch”.

Survivors include his former wife and close friend for over forty years, Danna Bush Ashcraft of Lindale; sons, Clay Walker, Jr. and his wife Jessica of Nashville, Tennessee and Douglas Del Mage and his wife Sherri of Lumberton; daughter, Kimberly Walker Murray and her husband Curtis of Woodville; nine grandchildren; one sister, Sonya Lee Miori of Inez; and great aunts, Thelma Merendino, (who turns 97, April 2nd J ), and Alice Walden.

He is preceded in death by his late wife, Carol Walker; parents, Mary Elizabeth Hillebrandt Walker and Ernest Walker; brothers, John E. Walker and Robert E. Walker; and sisters, Patsy Walker and Mary Jo Dyson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 11, 2011, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 4445 Avenue A, Beaumont with burial to follow at Hillebrandt Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2011, at Broussard’s.