Edward Earl Walker was born in Decatur, Illinois June 10,1928. His father, Earl Walker-pilot's license number 29399-partnered with two brothers, in the purchase and management of the Decatur airfield. The brothers, Hunter and Humphrey Moody, briefly held the world flight endurance record in 1939 when their plane, the Miss Springfield, sponsored by Walker Culverts of Sullivan, Illinois, circled the Springfield airport for 343 hours, 46 minutes.

Earl inspired his son, Ed to fly, and Ed earned his pilot's license. Ed had an excellent cadre of planes to fly including an Aeronca C-3, and a 1940 Continental Cub. Ed used to fly the Continental around Northern Illinois, occasionally landing in a field when he spotted friends driving down below. Ed stopped flying in the early 1980s due to a heart condition, but continued to fly and build model airplanes. Ed's love for flying was instilled in his son, who also earned a Private License, making him the third generation pilot in the Walker family. This memorial is dedicated to Edward Earl Walker, whose love of flying was only surpassed by his love for his children and family.