Mcneil Joseph Walker

McNeil Joseph Walker passed away suddenly on April 27, 2016 in an unexpected accident. He was the joy and light of our life. He was born on October 1, 1994 to Rollie and Sally Walker in Idaho Falls, Idaho. When he was six months old, he moved with his family to Santiago, Chile for three years while his parents served as mission presidents for the LDS Church in the newly-created Chile Santiago West Mission. There he was adored by all as the “mission baby,” and by the people of Chile, as his blonde curls and bright blue eyes captured the hearts of all who met him. In Idaho Falls, McNeil attended school at Longfellow Elementary, Taylorview Junior High, and Idaho Falls High School, where he graduated in 2013. While in high school, McNeil played short-stop on the IFHS baseball team. He loved baseball and the wonderful friendships he had with his teammates. He adopted his dad’s lucky number 13 as his own and wore it every year on his jersey. While at IFHS, he was elected a member of Boy’s Fed and enjoyed immensely the friendships he gained in the club. After his mission, he attended Brigham Young University-Idaho where he worked hard and loved school and the friends he made there. McNeil had many dear and close friends whom he cherished throughout his life. He loved fashion and style and was voted “Best Dressed” by his peers many times. He loved looking sharp. In addition to his love for baseball, he enjoyed basketball, golf, and fly-fishing. McNeil founded the U-Pick RedBarn Pumpkin Patch along with his cousin, Chase Walker, when he was eleven years old. McNeil’s hard work and dedication grew into a community and all-area family favorite Fall destination and tradition that is cherished by many. Even at work, McNeil’s joyful spirit touched thousands of lives, as people came from far away each year to visit McNeil, pick from his unrivaled pumpkins, and ride the famous RedBarn train. When McNeil turned 18, he was called to serve in the Mexico, Mexico City East Mission for two years. There, he developed a great love for the people he served and his companions, as he mastered the Spanish language. He worked incredibly hard every day of his mission with enthusiasm and was recognized by his peers and mission president for his exemplary obedience and leadership in the mission field. One of his companions described him and his dedication during his mission as “consecrated.” McNeil was without guile, always had pure intent, and had a unique ability to make others feel loved and special. In fact, he never missed a chance to give one of his famous bear hugs and to tell you he loved you. He didn’t have a judgmental bone in his body and saw the very best in all of his family and friends. He led and elevated those with whom he came in contact by personal example. He earned the deep respect and love of all those who knew him for that special quality. He was gentle and a sensitive and deep thinker. He had a warm and beautiful smile. He enjoyed setting goals and doing all within his power to reach them. He was extremely generous in every way and became known for the thoughtful and wonderful gifts he gave others. He was happy, positive, and sweet by nature, and many observed that during the last few months of his life, he seemed especially joyful, purposeful, confident, and peaceful. McNeil is survived by his loving parents, Rollie and Sally Walker, and his adoring siblings, Preston (Katie), ShaLyse, Jenna West (Mason), Shelby Stephens (Cameron), as well as his beloved nieces and nephews, Presley Walker, Grace Walker, Finn Walker, Hugh Stephens, Fitz West, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph E and Florence Ruth Nielsen Creer, and Von and Dorothy Mae McNeil Walker. McNeil’s favorite scripture, which appeared on his mission plaque, read, “Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yeah, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.” (Alma 56:47) Family and friends will visit at a viewing for McNeil on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the Idaho Falls Taylor Mountain Stake Center at 260 Castlerock Lane, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83404 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The following day on May 4, 2016, visitation will continue at the Taylor Mountain Stake Center from 9:00am to 10:45am, with funeral services following at 11:00am, under the direction of Bishop Scott Davis.