Walter William Riker Sr.

Walter William Riker, Sr., 86, of Salem passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the Park Place Elder Living Center in Mt. Pleasant.

 Walter was born on July 4, 1937, in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, the son of Joseph and Lydia (Hertel) Riker.  Following the death of his father, Walter began working various jobs to help support his family.  Throughout his life he was known by many as “Mr. Fix It”.  He retired from Occidental Petroleum Corp of New Jersey.  Walter was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.   

 He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Susanne, of Mt. Pleasant, his children, Walter W. (Chiem) Riker, Jr., of Levittown, Pennsylvania, Joan Marie Szalma of New London, Faye (Gary) Newman of Mt. Pleasant, Brenda (Derrick) Goldman of Mt. Pleasant, Arthur Riker of Mt. Pleasant and Steven (Colleen) Riker of Southampton, New Jersey, 13 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren and two sisters, Ruthie Meyers, of New Jersey and Lois Szabo, of New York.

 Walter was preceded in death by his parents, three grandchildren, one great grandchild, two brothers, Joe Riker and Paul Riker, two sisters, Jane Wilson and Gracie Riker and one son-in-law.

 Friends may call at the Murphy Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2 until 6. The family will not be present.  Walter’s family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant.  A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home.  A memorial has been established in his memory.

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