MT. VERNON - James N. "Jim" Walker, 80, of Mt. Vernon, died 12:27 a.m. Thursday, March 31, 2011, at St. Mary's Health Care in Clayton, Mo. He was born Sept. 20, 1930, in Vandalia, the son of Lewis Henry Walker and Ina Mae (Clemens) Walker. He married Ellen (Casper) Walker Sept. 12, 1954, in Vienna; she survives in Mt. Vernon. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Pat Spicuzza and husband Jim of Mt. Vernon; a son, Mike Walker of Mt. Vernon; six grandchildren, Katie Spicuzza of Chicago, Laura Spicuzza of San Diego, David Spicuzza of Mt. Vernon, Shannon Walker of Lexington, Ky., Kristen Walker of Chicago and Peter Walker of Mt. Vernon; a brother, William Clemens Walker and wife Betty Ann of Florida; a sister, Elizabeth Jane Walker Franks of Harrisburg; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Newton D. Walker. Jim Walker, president of Big Chief Auto/Truck Plaza, Inc., received the 1993 Citizen of the Year award at the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner at the Ramada Hotel. Jim had been with Big Chief since 1978, and had experience in the motel and automobile sales field in Mt. Vernon; Carbondale; Salem; Evansville, Ind.; Bloomington, Ind.; and Ft. Laurderdale, Fla. Jim was a member of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Elks Lodge, Mt. Vernon Tourism Board, Kiwanis Club, United Way of Jefferson County, Veterans of Foreign Wars, First United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon and was on the board for Habitat for Humanity. He was also a board member of Security/Boatman's Bank from 1982 through 1990. He was a 1949 graduate of Vienna High School and received an associate degree in business from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1956. Jim also served as a staff sergeant in the United States Army from 1951 to 1954, stationed in Berlin, Germany. He had a strong love for the Lord and his family was of the upmost importance to him and he had a life long love of hunting and shooting. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon with the Revs. David Eadie and Victor Long officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Flag presentation will be conducted by American Legion Post 141 chaplain at the cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon. For those who wish, memorials may be given to the United Methodist Children's Home or Gideons International and will be accepted at the funeral home or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home where you may call 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information and to send condolences