Arthur Booker, Jr.

U.S. Army veteran served in Korean and Vietnam wars Arthur Booker Jr., 78, of Washington, died at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2006, in Washington Hospital, following a lengthy illness. He was born February 17, 1928, in Bentleyville, a son of Arthur Sr. and Mary Rose Hatcher Booker. Mr. Booker was a graduate of Washington High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran with 21 years of service, serving during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He received the Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and VCM. He was a foreman at Annealing Box and a security guard for Tarbuck Security. Mr. Booker was a member of Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175. He enjoyed playing cards, reading and watching all sports. On December 17, 1956, he married Thelma Elizabeth Boyd, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Donald (Antoinette) Booker of Greensboro, N.C., and Eddie (Angela) Booker of Elkridge, Md.; two daughters, C. Renee (Brady) Murphy of Gahanna, Ohio, and Charlene Booker of Washington; six brothers, Harry, Leroy, William, Robert and Lloyd, all of Washington, and Donald Booker of Tacoma, Wash.; four sisters, Louise Price of Baltimore, Md., and Velma Marie Bryant, Ernestine Marsh and Roberta Booker, all of Washington; seven grandchildren, Angela, Charity, Jonathan, Stephen, Christopher and Michelle Booker and Torri Murphy; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 24, in Nazareth Baptist Church, 123 North Lincoln Street, Washington, with Dr. Stephen J. Russell Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175.