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Grand Ole Opry Legend Billy Walker Dies in Alabama Car Crash

Monday, May 22, 2006

FT. DEPOSIT, Ala. —  Billy Walker, the Grand Ole Opry legend whose hits included "Charlie's Shoes" and "Cross the Brazos at Waco," died in a wreck along an Alabama interstate on Sunday. He was 77.

Walker was killed along with his wife and two of his band members when a van they were riding in ran off Interstate 65 south of Montgomery and overturned, state troopers said.

Killed in the wreck were Bettie Walker, 61; and Charles Lilly Jr. 44, both of Hendersonville, Tenn., and Daniel Patton Sr., 40, of Hermitage, Tenn.

Walker's grandson, Joshua Brooks, 21, also of Hendersonville, was injured in the accident. He remains in critical condition at an Alabama hospital, officials said.

The group was on their way back to the Nashville area after performing at a show near Gulf Shores, according to Tom Bowers, manager of the Hendersonville Funeral Home.

Bowers said family members have contacted the funeral home, which will be conducting services for the Walkers.

According to the Opry's Web site, Billy Walker was born in Ralls, Texas, and built an early career as the "Traveling Texan, the Masked Singer of Country Songs" and later shared the stage with Elvis Presley.

He had his first No. 1 song in 1962, "Charlie's Shoes," which was followed by other hits, "Willie the Weeper," "Heart, Be Careful," "The Morning Paper" and the Western-tinged "Cross the Brazos at Waco."

 Walker joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1960.

 

BILLY WALKER
A Tribute to “The Tall Texan” and His Wife Bettie Crook Walker
by Betty Parrish

On May 21, 2006 at approximately 12:40 a.m., the midnight sky cast shadows of darkness along I-65, just 11 miles north of Ft. Deposit, Alabama.  Grand Ole Opry legend, the talented and handsome Billy Walker, his beautiful and adoring wife Bettie Crook Walker and band members Charles Lily and Danny Patton lost their lives in a tragic single-car accident.  Joshua Brooks, their grandson, was traveling with them at the time and was injured in the accident.

The entire world mourns the tragic loss of such talented and admired individuals.  Yet, it’s the Country Music Industry, family, friends and fans who realize this era in life will never again be the same.  For a moment in time, the world stood still ~ stage lights were dimmed, the big red curtain came down for the final act, the show was over; or was it?  Reflections and memories will be forever engraved in the hearts of all whose lives were touched by those involved in the timing of such a tragic and unexpected accident.

As we turn back the hands of time, the opening act begins; born Billy Marvin Walker on January 14, 1929 in Ralls, Texas – Billy was one of eight children and the grandson of a Methodist minister.  At age four his mother passed away.  Being the years of the depression, the family was experiencing difficulties, which forced his dad to place Billy, along with two brothers Jerry and Delmar, in a Methodist Home in Waco, Texas.  Billy recalls vivid memories of these years, mostly painful, but in one sense of the word, rewarding. 

One Christmas a friend gave Billy a very special gift, inexpensive and not even unique, just an ordinary “football.”  In Billy’s words, “this was the touch of the Master’s Hand. This was one of the best Christmas’ ever – someone had remembered me.”  It was at this time he realized the truth – God cared.  This football rests today on the mantle over the fireplace of the Walker’s home.

At age 13, Billy was back home with his dad, who had remarried.  His dad gave him a dime for the movie – Public Cowboy #1, featuring Gene Autry.  From that moment on, there was no doubt in Billy’s mind as to his future plans.  By the age of 15, Billy won his first singing contest at KICA Radio in Clovis, New Mexico.  The prize was $3.00, a chocolate cake and a chance to have his own radio show every Saturday.  He hitchhiked 80 miles one way every week because he had a dream.  Some nights he wouldn’t make it back home all the way and would spend the night on the side of the road.  Billy has remarked, “when you have a dream, nothing can stop you.” 

Billy’s God-given talent, determination and dream opened many doors in the Country Music business.  It was the Big D Jamboree radio show in Dallas, Texas that marked the beginning of his professional career.  Billy has recorded for Capitol, Columbia, Monument, RCA and other major recording companies for more than 40 years. 

Many top names in the business have referred to Billy Walker as a major role model and as one who went out of his way to help them gain success in the music business.  

The ladder to success was shared with many giants in the music industry such as Jim Reeves, Red Foley, Lefty Frizzell, Slim Whitman, Ernest Tubb, Patti Page and Hank Williams Sr.   Billy and Slim Whitman helped Elvis Presley become a member of the Louisiana Hayride.   

On March 5, 1963 the applause was echoed by silence, the brilliance of the spotlights darkened on the stage.  After a benefit concert in Kansas City, Billy Walker received an urgent call to return home.  Hawkshaw Hawkins overheard Billy’s dilemma and handed him his plane ticket.  Hawkshaw said, “Here kid, you take this ticket and you get on that plane and you be Hawkshaw Hawkins, I’ll fly home with Patsy (Patsy Cline) and the others.”   The rest of the story is etched in stone in the archives of Country Music history.  For years Billy carried a wound so deep that he couldn’t speak over the loss of his friends.  One day he realized that the greatest tribute he could give to his friends was to “sing.” 

Billy Walker was not only born to sing, but his spiritual life and the testimony he portrayed in the real world was a reflection to all that his God was real.  Billy was saved at age 15, but says he “didn’t give God much thought during the next several years of my life.  I went through a period when I had fame, fortune and everything that was supposed to make one happy, only to find out the One that makes life really count is the Lord.” 

It was Billy’s firm belief that while you can “Ride on the Wings of Victory, and can be anything you want to be, always make it a point to let your light shine to all the world.”  Billy felt that being an entertainer allowed him to reach many that might not otherwise be reached.  In 1977 Billy Walker was ordained into ministry by Rev. Eddie Cunningham. 

Billy Walker’s personal life revolves around his family, friends, Grand Ole Opry family and devoted fans.  Billy is survived by five daughters who will have memories to cherish for a lifetime of a “Dad” whom they shared with the world.

Billy’s soul mate, the love of his life, business manager and the one to whom he never failed to dedicate the song, “Adam’s Side” was his wife Bettie.  Bettie Crook Walker was born into the country music business being a relative to the Crook Brothers, a well-known group in the early years of the Grand Ole Opry.  Bettie’s expertise in business resulted in extraordinary recognition and respect because of her abilities in production and management; and her fans adored her. The Golden Voice Award Shows and Ryman Reunion are just a glimpse of her vast achievements. 

A woman of faith, character, beauty and personality, Bettie played a major role in not only Billy’s career, but also in his personal and home life – she was a God-send in Billy’s world.  Their togetherness was reflected in charm, charisma, beauty, design in dress and stage attire - to perfection.  This devoted couple celebrated more than 25 years of a blissful and blessed marriage; today, in death, they still walk hand-in-hand.  

More than 50 years in Country Music, Billy has achieved 32 Top 10 hits, six #1 Hits and more than 100 charted records with songs such as “Charlie’s Shoes,” “Cross the Brazos at Waco,” “Word Games,” “Smoky Places,” “Ramona,” “Matamors,” “Don’t Stop in My World” and “When A Man Loves A Woman.” BMI recently certified his “Funny How Time Slips Away” for a million airplays. Billy also hosted his own syndicated television show Billy Walker’s Country Carnival for several years and appeared on every major country music television show in the United States. He became of member of the Grand Ole Opry on January 1, 1960, introduced by the legendary, Ernest Tubb.  Billy recalled that night at the Ryman Auditorium as “electrifying.”

Billy Walker is the epitome of a “Living Legend.”  In 1994, the International Country Gospel Music Association inducted Billy Walker into the “Hall of Fame.”  In 1995, he was voted “Country Gospel Personality” and “Veteran Male Vocalist.”  In 1996, he was presented “Top Video of the Year” award by the ICGMA for his song “Adam’s Side’ –Wedding Song.”  Billy was a member of the New York State Country Music Hall of Fame.  He was inducted into the North America Country Music Association International Hall of Fame and in 2001, the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.  In 2002 he was the recipient of the “Career Achievement” award at the Golden Voice Awards.  The achievements and accolades span many years of a career that reflects the Rags to Riches scenario; it seems that Billy Walker was born to sing. 

Videos, sheet music, the Country, Christmas and Gospel genres will forever echo the voice of “The Tall Texan” Billy Walker and his beautiful companion and soul mate, Bettie Crook Walker.

Heartfelt sympathy and love to the families of Charles Lily and Danny Patton.  Thoughts and prayers are truly with each of you at this time.  The fans and friends, especially the Grand Ole Opry family, have been and will always be – one in heart and soul.

Billy and Bettie Walker have truly transformed the definition of “Gold” from music industry recordings to the Streets of Heaven. They will be sadly missed, but eternally loved.

Until we meet again…

Betty Parrish, Writer

© Copyright Eagle Free Enterprises 2004