Longtime MISD Educator Roy Lee Walker Passes Away

contributed by: TSB Staff

Mr. Roy Lee Walker, former principal of J.L. Greer Elementary School in McKinney and namesake of Roy Lee Walker Elementary School, died during the evening of February 17 at the age of 95.

“Mr. Walker was a principal who worked extremely well with parents and the PTA,” said Deborah Sanchez, principal of Walker Elementary School. “He worked very well with his staff of teachers and support services during his 38 years at Greer Elementary. He was very firm, fair, and consistent in taking care of the everyday business of leading a school. He touched the lives of thousands of students during his four decades of service to McKinney ISD.”

Roy Lee Walker Elementary campus opened its doors in 2000. The current students, staff, and parents at Walker Elementary School will honor Mr. Walker by wearing a Walker school shirt on Monday. As part of Rachel’s Challenge, each homeroom class will make a “kindness” chain to commemorate the legacy of Roy Lee Walker and what he means to the school. Students will also tie blue and green ribbons on the trees outside during recess.

Mr. Walker was born on April 27, 1915 and graduated from Farmersville High School in 1933. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from East Texas State Teachers College. He later received his Masters Degree from East Texas State University in 1975. Mr. Walker was married to Annie Mae Stanley and has two daughters.

Mr. Walker began his teaching career at Murphy School in Collin County from 1927-1939. He then taught at the Copeville School from 1937-1942. In June of 1942, Mr. Walker entered the military service and obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 599th Bombardment Squadron. He was discharged from the Air Force in the fall of 1945 and came to McKinney as the principal of J.L. Greer (North Ward) Elementary School, where he served until his retirement in 1985.

Mr. Walker loved working with students at J.L. Greer. In the late 1940s.  Mr. Walker was instrumental in working with other elementary schools. He and the other principals started a Little League Football program. The teams included North Ward, South Ward, Central Ward, and East Ward Schools. He recruited some of the varsity football players to assist in coaching.

The Roy Lee Walker Memorial Scholarship, through the McKinney Education Foundation, will commemorate the outstanding educational contribution of Mr. Walker.