Governor of Illinois. A member of the Democratic Party, he served the State of Illinois as their 36th Governor (1973 to 1977). Raised in San Diego, he served with the United States Navy during World War II and upon his return home, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy. He attained his law degree from Northwestern University and following the outbreak of the Korean War, he returned to active service and was station on a destroyer. Walker began his political career as a member of Governor Adlai Stevenson's staff and later worked for Montgomery Ward. In 1970, he ran Adlai Stevenson III's successful campaign for Senator and a year later, Walker found himself running for the governorship. He may perhaps be best remembered for his "walk across the state" campaign which caught national headlines in 1972. He had a rocky tenure as governor due to his clashing with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and even his own party. After leaving office, he ran into difficulty as a businessman and served seventeen months in prison during the late 1980s for receiving $1.4 million dollars in fraudulent loans.
Governor of Illinois. A member of the Democratic Party, he served the State of Illinois as their 36th Governor (1973 to 1977). Raised in San Diego, he served with the United States Navy during World War II and upon his return home, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy. He attained his law degree from Northwestern University and following the outbreak of the Korean War, he returned to active service and was station on a destroyer. Walker began his political career as a member of Governor Adlai Stevenson's staff and later worked for Montgomery Ward. In 1970, he ran Adlai Stevenson III's successful campaign for Senator and a year later, Walker found himself running for the governorship. He may perhaps be best remembered for his "walk across the state" campaign which caught national headlines in 1972. He had a rocky tenure as governor due to his clashing with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and even his own party. After leaving office, he ran into difficulty as a businessman and served seventeen months in prison during the late 1980s for receiving $1.4 million dollars in fraudulent loans.
Bio by: C.S.
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Walker memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
