Stanley C. Walker

Stanley Clay Walker (July 2, 1923 – January 15, 2001) was a long-time Democratic politician, elected in 1963 to represent Norfolk, Virginia as a delegate to the Virginia General Assembly, and in 1971 winning election to represent the city and surrounding areas in the Virginia Senate, at first from the 5th district and after redistricting following the 1980 census representing the 6th district. In 1988, Walker rose to become president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate, holding that position until his forced retirement in 2000, Democrats having lost their majority in the House for the first time in 116 years in the 1999 Virginia state elections.

Stanley C. Walker
President pro tempore of the Senate of Virginia
In office January 13, 1988 – January 12, 2000
Preceded by	Bill Parkerson
Succeeded by	John Chichester
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 6th district
In office January 12, 1972 – January 12, 2000 5th/6th/7th: January 12, 1972 – January 11, 1984
Preceded by	Garland Gray
Succeeded by	Nick Rerras
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Norfolk City
In office January 8, 1964 – January 12, 1972
Preceded by	Toy D. Savage Jr.
Succeeded by	Albert Teich Jr.
Personal details
Born	Stanley Clay Walker July 2, 1923 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Died	January 15, 2001 (aged 77) Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Sybil Bruce Moore
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1942–1945
Battles/wars	World War II

Early life

Walker was born on July 2, 1923, in Norfolk. He graduated from Fork Union Military Academy, and was sent to the European Theatre in World War II at the age of 18 serving in an ordnance unit of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Political career

In 1959, as racial desegregation of the public schools was being fought out in Virginia, Walker was appointed to the Norfolk School Board, "where he was a voice of moderation in the often perilous efforts to integrate the public schools."[1]

In 1963, Walker was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates representing Norfolk, serving from 1964 to 1971. That year he was elected to the Virginia Senate in a 3-member multimember district representing Norfolk and part of the City of Virginia Beach. Eventually, as a result of redistricting, he would represent the 6th District. He was elected president pro tempore by the Senate in 1988. He served in the Senate, chairing 4 committees, until his defeat by Republican Nick Rerras in 1999.

Death

Walker died on January 15, 2001, in Norfolk, Virginia.

References

1. "Senate Joint Resolution 464 (2001)". Virginia Senate. Retrieved September 13, 2012.