Wes Walker

"This is a good way to get to know people from other clubs," said Wes Walker, retired YMCA director and longtime member of the Kankakee Kiwanis Club."We are all interested in the same thing -- helping the community."

The event includes competition in events like volleyball, racquetball, water volleyball and a 100-yard swim.

But there is also putt-putt golf, a bean bag toss, checkers, euchre and pinochle and the officer's special.

His father, Wes, still lives in Kankakee after retiring 11 years ago.Wes Walker spent 33 years at the Kankakee YMCA where he "had the best job in town."

"When you get to Illinois high school competitive swimming, you'll find a lot of kids who will be able to trace their roots back to their introduction to the YMCA," Wes Walker says.

All four Walker boys "were Y brats."

"We are very proud of him," Wes says of his son Robin.
...
Wes Walker also learned to swim at the Y when "my dad put me in it (Y programs) when I was 7 years old in Danville and I never left it," he said.

In 1993, Wes Walker won the prestigious Joseph G. Rogers Award for Outstanding National Leadership by the National YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving Council.The "quite big" bronze trophy is safely kept in the basement of the cape cod home he shares with his wife Connie.
...
Ken Thiel of Northbrook, an executive director during the 1969 NSYMCA grand opening, has known Wes Walker for years.
...
"I owe the YMCA a lot more than I could ever give it," said Wes Walker.

The Walker family will be included on the Northbrook timeline.

Wes Walker announced that as a member of the Y's Men's Club, he had tickets available for the annual watermelon sale.

Programs - Wes Walker, Chair
...
Wes Walker

Wes Walker

8/21/06 I am requesting prayer for Wes Walker who has several tears in the retina of his left eye and is being treated now to prevent any more tears of a detachment of the retina. This is his only good eye as a similar situation occurred several years ago that left him blind in the right eye. Please pray for healing in the eye and strength for this time of testing.

11/2/05 Wes is holding his own, but his right shoulder is bothering him since he is dependent on a walker and crutches. Not sure of the outcome of that set back. More on his condition again. Thanks for the prayers and concerns.

Talked to Wes the other day. He is feeling much better. However, he is not to put any weight on his foot at all. He is home, recuperating with the best of nurses, his wife Connie. Seems the care giver needs prayers too. Wes will try to attend in a wheel chair the Regional Convention in Kankakee on the 17th of September. Let us continue our prayers for his complete recovery. 9/6/05

Wes, Y's Men member of the Kankakee Y's Men's Club and retired CEO of the Kankakee YMCA is having surgery on Tuesday, August 23rd here in Kankakee.