Senior Vice-President, Bank of Walker County 

Words by Nick Norris | Image by Ryan McGill

Walker Wilson wears many hats: Senior Vice President of Bank of Walker County, Vice-Chair member of the Jasper City Board of Education, longtime youth baseball coach, husband, and father. He is also the son of a banker and is carrying on the legacy of his father and grandfather before him. 

Now a third-generation community banker, Walker has been serving the county all his life. When he was 12 years old, he began working with his father, Mark, at Bank of Parrish. By the age of 13, he was running a teller window. 

Eventually, the Wilsons saw a need in Walker County that they believed they could provide. 

“We noticed there was a niche for a community bank,” Walker explains. “So, we started in my old upstairs bedroom. Dad knew how to put together a budget, and I knew how to work an Excel spreadsheet, so we created three years of future bank budget from air. That’s how Bank of Walker County began.”

Since opening in 2004, Bank of Walker County has blossomed into a staple of the community, offering a more personable banking alternative to large corporate franchises.

“We didn’t start our bank because we were wealthy or anything,” Walker explains. “We just knew what we were doing, and we were blessed enough to be surrounded by a community and people that believed in us and gave us a chance.”

Recently, Mark reached a personal milestone when he was recognized for 50 years of service in community banking. 

“I remember when my grandfather [C. Byron Wilson] celebrated his 50 years of service,” Walker reminisces. “Now, my dad has reached that mark too. Not many people have done that. Who knows, maybe I’ll get there one day.”

But Walker does more for his hometown than just banking. For nearly a decade, he has served on the Jasper City Board of Education, making a difference in the lives of numerous young people.

“Serving on the Board is by far the most difficult position I’ve ever had,” Walker admits, “but it’s also the most rewarding. These kids are the next generation of leaders, and being on the board hopefully allows me to have some sort of positive influence on their lives. It’s a tremendous blessing.”

Whether he realizes it, Walker himself has been a tremendous blessing for countless others. He is more than a banker. More than a board member. He is a community man with a passion for honoring the legacies of those before him and inspiring those who will come after. 78