William Alexander Walker
1949 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM ALEXANDER WALKER, whose death occurred in this country in November 1947, spent the last forty-one years of his life in British Guiana, where he had been in association with Messrs. Sprostons, Ltd., shipowners and repairers, of Georgetown. He was born in 1875 and educated in the United States, receiving later his theoretical training at Tod's Engineering Academy. After serving his time at the locomotive works of Messrs. Peckett and Sons, Ltd., in Bristol, he was employed by Messrs. Stothert and Pitt, Ltd., engineers, of Bath, as a fitter and erector, for four years. From 1897 to 1906 he sailed as marine engineer in various ships, rising to be chief engineer. He began, in 1906, his long connexion with Messrs. Sprostons, Ltd., as assistant superintendent engineer and held this position for eighteen years. He was then advanced to the post of superintendent engineer and three years later on his becoming general manager and chief engineer joined the board of directors. Eventually Mr. Walker held office as managing director, which he resigned in June 1946, continuing, however, to sit on the Board and to maintain an active interest, as a director, in the affairs of the Demerara Bauxite Company, Ltd., and Messrs. Chaguaramas Terminals, Ltd. He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1911 and was transferred to Membership in 1936. Mr. Walker was a member of the Committee of the Caribbean Branch from its inception in 1938 till the time of his death.