Merle Albert Walker had his own construction company and built homes in the Akron area. Lowell Hoover worked for him for a period of time and learned the constuction field. Merle built a home for Freda and when he died it was stipulated in his will that Freda was to live in the home. This caused an uproar in his family as it seems they were not aware of his relationship with Freda. Freda did live in the home until her death but it is believed that the home did not then go to her heirs but was sold and the proceeds distributed to Merle's family (there is no proof of this fact).