On Thursday, August 16, 2012, The Reverend Anselm Walker, S.T.L., went to be with his Heavenly Father. He was ordained on May 26, 1956 at St. John’s Cathedral in Milwaukee, WI and studied at St. Benedict’s Abbey, Benet Lake, WI under the Benedictine Order. Following ordination, he studied for a year at Grand Seminarie in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

After he was ordained, he was assigned duties in Mexico and Costa Rica and after several years, he withdrew from the Benedictine Order. After 1959, he returned to Texas, becoming a priest of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. He served as assistant pastor, pastor, and instructor at St. Mary’s Seminary. He also served in the corrections ministry and as a hospital chaplain.

After 1991, he retired as an active priest of the Diocese but remained as Director of St. Basil’s Byzantine Catholic Center for Eastern Christian Studies in Houston, Texas.

He held the equivalent of a Master’s Degree in Eastern Christian Studies from John the XXIII Center at Fordham University.

He was born Harrison Collins Walker on April 6, 1926 in Polk County, Texas and was the son of William George Walker Jr. and Arminta Carrie Martin Walker. His brothers and sisters include the late Florene Walker Oliver of Woodville, Texas; the late Nina Alleen Walker Mickelwait Collier of Trinity, Texas; and, the late William George "Dick" Walker, III of Rosharon, Texas.

Father Walker is a veteran of World War II, where he served in the U.S. Army and participated in the Battle of Okinawa. Later, he was a member of the Army of Occupation in Japan. While in Japan, he studied Latin at Sofia University in Tokyo. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan) and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Prior to entering the Benedictine Order, he attended the University of St. Thomas in Houston and was the first alumnus to be ordained as a priest.

Over the years, Father Walker dedicated his life to the Catholic Church and was enriched with an abundance of Heavenly gifts as he gave strength and comfort to others.

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