ROY WALKER, JR. was born in McKeesport, PA to the late Roy Walker, Sr. and Emma Mae Walker. He was reared in McKeesport and had four siblings: Maurice (deceased), Gloria, Jackie (deceased), and Ronald. Roy had three children – Attila Roy (deceased), Taheri, and Rashida. He was called “JUNIOR” or “JUNIEBOY” by his family and “NOOGLES” by his community friends.

During his early childhood, Roy attended Bethlehem Baptist Church in McKeesport. He was re-baptized on June 4, 2016, at Macedonia Baptist Church in Duquesne, PA. Roy had been a faithful member in attendance until his health began to decline.

All of Roy’s education was in McKeesport and he graduated from McKeesport High School. While in high school, he began to work on weekends in maintenance at his father’s “Swing Club”. Because he was only 17, he cleaned the club after closing hours. Many of the high school students wondered how Roy could be the “best dressed” male in the school. Well, not only did he work part-time at the Swing Club, but also, he sold ‘R & B’ 45 records to his Caucasian schoolmates. Roy would take his dad’s “45” records, which were all over the floor of his dad’s garage, to the school for sale. Roy was always immaculate and particular about his clothing and his dress style. In his adult life, he had many suits, shoes, belts, and shirts custom-made by a specific tailor. Upon his graduation, he was voted “Best Dressed Male Student’ out of a total of 600 graduating seniors.

Following his high school years, Roy began to learn Bartending Skills. His first bartending position was at the Swing Club with his dad by his side as a mentor. At the age of 22, he was given a Managerial Position to oversee the field’s hotel/bar in New Kensington, PA. Later, he managed both the Swing Club and the field’s hotel/bar simultaneously. Roy Sr. delegated these management roles to Roy, Jr., while he spent more time overseeing the Walker’s Vending Business.

Roy left PA. In the late 1960’s to relocate to New York City. He lived briefly with Gloria and then decided to remain in New York. He worked with various companies for 6 years prior to returning to the Pittsburgh area. His employment journey began with managing “Walker’s Step-In Bar” in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. Shortly afterward, Roy became the owner of the bar until the building was sold in 1988. Simultaneously, he was managing the First Black Membership Club in the Hill District – “The Independent Political Protection League (IPP) Club. Roy continued to manage several other of his dad’s bars/clubs to include Pittsburgh’s Blue Room Bar. Roy later worked for his dad as a bartender at the Paradise Club in Braddock, PA. for several years prior to its closing. Prior to his retirement, Roy worked for his father in other areas of business such as checking his jukeboxes, poker machines, etc.

Roy enjoyed the times he visited Las Vegas, Nevada. He also loved weekly, if not daily, watching a football or basketball game on TV. During these times, he would not tolerate being disturbed. Many are not aware that Roy was a skillful pool shark. As a teenager, playing pool was not a challenge as he frequently won against all of the adult men who patronized the Walnut Street Pool Hall. If he needed extra money, he would visit the pool hall to participate in any game.

Roy Jr. Leaves to cherish his memories, his longtime companion, Josie (Josephine Jones), daughters, Taheri and Rashida, three grandchildren, Sylvia, Robin, and D’Jamar, sister, Gloria and brother, Ronald as well as a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.