William “Billy” O. Walker died on Sunday, July 3, 2022 at Pine Pointe Hospice after a brief battle with cancer. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, July 7, 2022 at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, 719 Mulberry Street, Macon. His friend Rev. Creede Hinshaw will officiate with Pastor Katie Griffis and Rev. Dr. Ted Goshorn assisting. Private burial for family only will be at Riverside Cemetery, Northgate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Theatre Department of Stratford Academy, 6010 Peake Road, Macon, GA 31210; Pine Pointe Hospice, 6261 Peake Road, Macon, GA 31210; or the donor's favorite charity.
Billy was born December 9, 1956 in Birmingham, AL where his father was working as an engineer for Ingalls Iron Works. He was the son of Maxie Wimberly Walker and the late William Harmon Walker, Jr. of Macon. Billy moved to Macon when he was nine years old and attended public school, graduating in 1975 from Central High School.
In 1979 he received a degree in Economics from the University of Georgia where he was a member and officer of Kappa Sigma fraternity, receiving the Brother of the Year Award his senior year. He was the Delta Beau of TriDelta sorority and beloved by all the sisters. He did graduate work in Business Administration at Macon College.
Billy began his career with Industrial Welding and Tool Supplies, Inc. of Macon, a business in which his grandfather was a founder and his father and other family worked. He became the Branch Manager of the newly acquired subsidiary Compressed Cylinder Gas in Athens, GA where within a couple of years under his leadership it was named Branch of the Year. He was a member of the Rotary Club in Athens and an active member and Administrative Board Secretary of Athens First United Methodist Church. He later moved back to Macon and worked for Bank South and then Salomon Smith Barney as a Financial Consultant. He bought and owned a retail business before he retired in 2015.
He was a Past President of the Macon Civic Club where he sang solos in the annual shows every year. He especially enjoyed singing with his three dear friends in their group called The Chairmen.
Billy was former Administrative Board Chair at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church where he served on the Building Committee overseeing the major renovation in the 1990s, and was chair of numerous committees, taught Sunday School, and sang in the Ainsworth Choir.
He was a former Board Chair of the Grand Opera House. He was an immediate past Vice President of the Ocmulgee Chapter, SAR; past Captain General of First Families of Georgia 1733-1797; member of National Huguenot Society, National Society Descendants of Colonial Indentured Servants, Order of Indian Wars, Sons & Daughters of the Pilgrims, Descendants of Sheriffs and Constables, Descendants of Early Postmasters, and a Patroon of Dutch Colonial Society. He was a member of Idle Hour Club.
He married Janet Ann Butler of Macon on August 15, 1979 after their graduation from UGA. They started dating in high school when they were 17 years old and never dated anyone else. They were blissfully married 42 years. Billy treasured every moment with his wife and family, all of whom absolutely adored him. Loving, kind, calm, genuine, and fun to be with, he will be missed by all who were privileged to know him. He was a perfect husband, father, & Papaw, a loving brother, and a dutiful son.
Besides his beloved wife Janet, he is survived by his son William "Bo" Melson Walker and wife Caitlin Glennon Walker of Macon; daughter Rachel W. Lewis and husband Jon Thomas Lewis, II of Macon; grandchildren William "Liam" Glennon Walker, Finn Thomas Walker, Hattie Ann Lewis and Emmaline “Emmy” Melson Lewis, all of Macon; his mother Maxie Wimberly Walker (Mrs. Wm. H., Jr.) of Macon; sisters Dixie W. Wilson (Skip) of Marietta, Pam W. Smithweck (Tom) of Lake Oconee, and Tina W. Dickson (Trevor) of Macon; three nieces, two nephews, and several cousins.
The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff of Pine Pointe Hospice, especially Laura Haver, and his faithful sitters the last two weeks Thelma Mallory and Alice Densley.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Bass Road, has charge of arrangements.
