WCF SECTION PRESS RELEASE #25-05
JOE WALKER WD4BYK IS A SILENT KEY
Joseph “Joe” Walker, WD4BYK, became a Silent Key on Monday January 20, 2025. Walker was 64 years old at the time of his passing.
Walker was first licensed in 1975 when he was 15 years old in Sarasota. Walker was active in the Desoto County Amateur Radio Club, lending a hand in maintaining the Desoto Amateur Radio Club repeaters. Walker was a active in his youth as a Cub Scout and then a Boy Scout, and as an adult in the Future Farmers of America and enjoyed the outdoors all of his life.
Walker served in the United States Air Force, in communications and eventually becoming a Green Beret. Walker, was an electrician and a welder early in his professional career, but worked later in public service as a EMT, paramedic, and firefighter for Sarasota and Desoto Counties, retiring from Desoto County in 2011. Walker earned a Bachelor of Science (Summa Cum Laude) in Fire Science, a Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Science and an Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering, adding fire inspector, instructor, investigator and professor of Fire Science to his résumé. Walker then served as Public Safety Director for Hardee County Board of County Commissioners, retiring from this position in 2021.
Darrell Davis KT4WX, Assistant Section Manager of the ARRL West Central Florida Section made the following comments about the passing of Joe Walker WD4BYK, “I had the pleasure of knowing Joe for around 30 years. Joe was always passionate about amateur radio and always trying to get newcomers into amateur radio. His finest hour that I remember was his leadership during Hurricane Irma in 2017. I will miss him.”
Walker is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jeanne Walker, two children, and grandchildren. There was a celebration of life, held at the Turner Agri-Civic Center (2250 NE Roan St, Arcadia, FL 34266) on Saturday, February 1, 2025.