John Walker, 91, key
player in isle business

By Rick Daysog
Star-Bulletin

Fifty years ago, when United Airlines completed its inaugural flight to Honolulu and helped launch the modern age of Hawaii tourism, John Cornwell Walker was one of many business leaders and dignitaries who attended the event.

Walker, a former president of the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce, often had a window seat to the major historical changes shaping Hawaii’s business community.

Yesterday, Walker died of natural causes at his home in Kula, Maui. He was 91.

In 1925, Walker began his career at the Oahu Railway & Land Co. and worked his way up to become the company’s general manager and vice president.

Walker later became vice chairman of Dillingham Corp., which built Ala Moana Center, and was chairman of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau in 1952 and 1953. Along the way, he served on the corporate boards of First Hawaiian Inc. (then called Bishop Bank), American Factors Ltd. (or Amfac), and Andrade & Co. Ltd.

An avid sportsman, Walker was well known in Hawaii as a polo player, playing actively until the start of World War II.

Walker’s family history was intertwined with Hawaii’s modern history. During the 1850s, his pa

ternal grandfather, John Walker, and his maternal grandfather, William Cornwell, at different times served as ministers of finance to King David Kalakaua.

He is survived by son John C. Walker Jr.; daughter Jill Walker Stevens; and stepdaughter Carol Austin.

A memorial service will be held Monday at the family home in Kula. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Kapiolani Health Foundation.

Raymond Aniban, 60, of Honolulu died Sunday in Straub Hospital. Born in Kahuku, he is survived by wife Guadalupe F.; son Raymond Jr.; daughters Carlene R. and Kimberly; stepsons Nathan, Fernan, Darwin and Divino Pazcoguin; brother Walter; and eight grandchildren. Wake: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary, 20 S. Kukui St. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the mortuary. Call 8-9 a.m. Burial with military honors: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.

Helen G.K. Billson, of Kailua, who died last Friday, was 70. An obituary Tuesday had incorrect information.

Ralph R. Copenhaver, 86, of Kailua died yesterday. He owned an automobile repair and maintenance business in Cherrydale, Va. Born in Relief, Va., he is survived by daughter Carolyn Tansey; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Memorial services: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Donations suggested to charity.

Russell N. “Bear” Eldredge Jr., 56, of Aiea, an electrician at Pearl Harbor, died Saturday in Straub Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by mother Ruth; and sisters Audrey Eldredge and Feadora Runnels. Private services.

Robert W. Hayes, 72, of Honolulu died June 21 in Honolulu. Born in Silverlake, Kan., he is survived by daughters Debbie Heinrich, Robin Jordan and Cherie Hayes-Gigante; brother Jack; and four grandchildren. Private services.

Norman P. Horne, 83, of Honolulu, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, died Sunday. He also once was director of the public libraries at Hawaii State Library. He is survived by wife Anita Ouverson; sons Phil and Paul; daughters Penny, Pat and Pam; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services: 3 p.m. Monday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to Center for Positive Living, 1120 Maunakea St. No. 275, Honolulu 96817.

Carmen R. Howard, 91, of Honolulu died July 10 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, she is survived by sons Willie Ravelo and Henry Howard; brother Juan Ravelo; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Wake: 7 p.m. Sunday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call 6-9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Monday at St. Anthony’s Church, 640 Puuhale St., Honolulu. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Joseph L. Ipsen, 38, of Honolulu, who served in U.S. Navy, died Sunday in Honolulu. Born in Salt Lake City, he is survived by wife Linda; daughter Mylinda; father Leal; sisters Leeann Gillam, Leslie Ipsen-Gilbert, Jody Ipsen, Telsa Collins, Lorie Bogart and Kelly Phillips. Memorial services: 5 p.m. tomorrow at Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary. Aloha attire. No flowers.

George L. Immel, 72, of Waianae, a retired fire captain at Schofield Barracks, died July 7 in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Fond du Lac, Wis., he is survived by daughters Lois L. Kahele and Iona K. Kalahiki; sons Richard K. Lewis and William K. Immel; sisters Irene I. Schafrik, Betty Jane I. Borgawardt and Mary Lou I. Solberg; brothers Calvin L. and Roland D.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 8:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Aloha attire.

Phyllis K.C. Jung, 67, of Honolulu died Tuesday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband George; son Kevin; brother Edward Lu; and sister Pauline Choy. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Casual attire. No flowers.

Dorothy Kekua, 86, of Kailua, a retired secretary with Roman Catholic Diocese Catholic Chancery, died Tuesday in Castle Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Benjamin Jr. and Bertram S.; daughter Rowena Okita; sisters Eleanor Ching, Jeanette Digges, Patsy Ching and Mary Yu; brothers Francis, Albert, Robert and James Dung; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call 6-9 p.m. Services: 9-10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John Vianney Church, Kailua. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Clarence E. Moku, 73, of Kaneohe, a retired city finance worker, died Tuesday at home. Born in Kohala, Hawaii, he is survived by wife Helen H.; son Samuel; daughters Elizabeth Walter and Jean Moku; brothers Harris Moku and Arthur Ah Loo; sister Eleanor Bast; and two grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call 6-9 p.m. Services: 9 a.m. Wednesday at the mortuary. Call from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Aloha attire.

Kenneth K. “Kot” “Naka” Nakamura, 70, of Honolulu, a retired Electrical Contractor, died Monday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Puunene, Maui, he is survived by wife Mildred M.; daughter Cheryl K. Nakamura-Overlock; brother Seichi; and two grandchildren. Services: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Moanalua Gardens Missionary Church, 1401 Mahiole St. Casual attire. No flowers.

Masao Nekoba, 74, of Hilo, a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, died last Friday in Hilo Hospital. He was also a retired supervisor at HPM Building Supply. Born in Pepeekeo, he is survived by wife Jean; sons Gordon and Rodney; daughters Kathleen Okimoto and Lorna Nekoba; brothers Kiyoto and Makoto; sisters Michie Asato, Bessie Morita and Tsuyako Seiki; and three grandchildren. Private services.

Richard A. “Rap” Rapoza, 55, of Honolulu, a city heavy equipment operator, died Tuesday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Kathleen N.; daughter Bernadette; mother Hattie Badiyo; sister Nana Meckstroth; brothers Bob Rapoza and Albert Badiyo Jr.; and three grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call 6-9 p.m. Aloha attire.

Margaret A. Sterner, 79, of Kailua-Kona died Tuesday in Kona Community Hospital. Born in Baltimore, she is survived by sons Bruce and Todd; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 10 a.m. Sunday at Honokohau Harbor at the Kona Rainbow slip. Scattering of ashes at sea to follow. Casual attire.

Merlin R. Vera Cruz, 52, of Honolulu, a stevedore with McCabe, Hamilton & Renny Co., died Saturday at home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by brothers Louis Jr., Harry L., Leroy G., Jerry and Douglas K.; and sisters V.L. Mook, Louisa L. Vera Cruz, Faith Tanner, Lucky Keohohina and Norma N. and April L. Vera Cruz. Memorial service: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aloha attire.

Kimberly K. Washington-Cohen, 23, of Wailua Homesteads, Kauai will be remembered in services at a later date. Information supplied by the mortuary for an obituary yesterday was incorrect.