The funeral of a much-loved drum major and businessman Alister H Walker will be held in Pitlochry on Wednesday, June 21.
Alister - aka Drum Major Bo of the Atholl Highlanders and Vale of Atholl Pipe Band - died aged 69 at home with his family there on June 7, after a long cancer illness “borne with positivity, fortitude and humour.”
He was the beloved husband of Jane, father of Elaine, Garth and Jack, and ‘Grended’ to Eva and Finlay, brother, uncle, father-in-law to Bobby, great uncle, friend and mentor to many.
Speaking of his passing, his daughter Elaine said: “We are absolutely devastated. He fought hard and is now at peace.
“As a family we are really appreciative of all the people who have taken the time to get in touch. Dad was a really special person and in these sad times it’s really heartwarming for us to see how many people’s lives he touched.”
Alister was well known locally as the owner of JRS Photo Hardware in Perth.
He was born Alister Howard Walker in Pitlochry, the youngest of five, on August 30, 1953.
He grew up in Tomcroy Terrace, spent his childhood “fighting the Germans” with his Tommy gun and his family claim that is where he got “a love of all things First and Second World Wars.”
Graduating from Pitlochry High School at 16, he joined local solicitors J & H Mitchell in the cashroom, travelling one day a week to the “College of Knowledge” (Commerce) on his Honda 50cc on the old A9 to Dundee.
Thereafter he went to work at Scottish Hydro Electric at their Tummel Bridge offices, doing the wages.
After nearly 20 years he was then headhunted to the Blackfriars office in Perth where he was the purchasing manager.
He studied for his Facilities Management accreditation and became one of only a handful of Fellows of the British Institute of Facilities Management.
He was heavily involved in the establishment of the Inveralmond and Grampian buildings, formerly the Old Dewar’s bottling plant.
A passionate photographer, on his retiral from SSE he fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning JRS Photo Hardware in Scott Street, Perth.
Alister was diagnosed in late 2006 with aggressive prostate cancer.
Through the 18 years he lived with his illness he travelled the country talking to audiences about the disease.
In 2013 he became chair of the Perth and Kinross Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Men and their wives would go into the shop to seek guidance and support.
Alister would say “come into my office” (the cafe opposite the shop) for a coffee and a corporate cuddle and try to allay their worries.
For over 50 years, man and boy, he was heavily involved in both the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and The Atholl Highlanders, starting as side drummer, then big drummer and eventually as ‘Drum Major Bo’.
Commander of the Atholl Highlanders, Charles Hay, Lord Kinnoull said: “Bo was a hugely popular and well respected Drum Major among all Atholl Highlanders.
“His shop in Perth was the friendliest place and any passing Highlander or friend could be invited into his ‘office’ (the coffee shop opposite) for a brief respite of fun and warmth.”
Graham Jack, Regimental Sgt Major of the Atholl Highlanders ,was a lifelong friend. “Enthusiastic, passionate, a gentleman, always respectful and quick to compliment, he had empathy and kindness. These are just some of the traits Alister had in bucketfuls. He was one of the good guys.
“Alister had been very ill for the last few months of his life, but whenever you paid a visit, there was always a firm handshake, a broad smile and enthusiasm to hear news from the regiment."
A keen golfer, he was a member of Pitlochry Golf Club for many years and could hit a ball many a long mile.
He also enjoyed many skiing trips with his boys to his favourite resort of La Rosiere in France and also cruising around the world with wife Jane.
The Walker family told the PA: “He will be remembered as a mentor, agony aunt, financial adviser and life coach.
“He will leave a great legacy for his immediate family, his extended family, prostate cancer suffers and their families, and his regimental family far and wide.
“He lived life to the full and took great pride in his three children and grandchildren.”
Alister’s service in full military uniform will take place in Pitlochry Church of Scotland on Wednesday, June 21 at 1.30pm and thereafter, interment at Fonab Cemetery, to which all family and friends are warmly invited.
The funeral will be live-streamed at http://www.scotstream.net/Alister-Howard-Walker
Donations will be taken at the church for the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band should anyone wish to contribute.
