On March 16, 2024, Billy James Walker, age 97, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by members of his loving family. Billy was born in Decatur Alabama in 1926, the son of Jimmy and Nellie Walker. He grew up and spent his youth in Decatur, graduating from Decatur High School, where he served as manager for the football team. He earned the nickname “Termite” in high school due to his diminutive 4′ 11″ stature.
After graduating from high school at age 16, Billy covered high school sports for the Decatur Daily newspaper, worked at a local drug store, and then got a job as a junior draftsman for Decatur Iron and Steel. Just before his 18th birthday, he answered his country’s call, as did others of the “Greatest Generation”, enlisting during World War II in the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to the naval construction battalion, better known as “the fighting Seabees”, and was shipped off to the island of Attu, at the tip of the Aleutian Islands chain. He served there, and also on Kodiak Island, until after the war ended. He was thankful for the war’s sudden end, as he later learned that his unit had been scheduled to be part of the impending invasion of Japan.
After the war, Billy attended the University of Alabama on the G.I. Bill, earning a degree in civil engineering. After graduation from the university, he began working for L&N Railroad, followed by a brief time with Prestressed Concrete of Georgia, and later began his career with Southern Company Services in 1958, where he continued until his retirement in 1986.
While working for L&N and living in Birmingham, Billy met and fell in love with his future bride, Thelma Davenport. They both met while living at Mrs. Dickey’s Boarding House, and Billy loved to joke that he and Thelma “lived together” before they got married. After a brief period living in Atlanta, they moved back to the Birmingham area, raising their family beginning in Cahaba Heights, and later moving to North Shelby County.
Billy was a devoted husband and father, who spent countless hours volunteering in support of his family’s activities. He served as scoutmaster, baseball coach, band booster, shuttle driver, and fund raiser. The Walker family lived a truly idyllic life, like a script straight out of Leave it to Beaver.
Billy and Thelma loved to travel, and after his retirement they truly did “see the world”. This included trips to Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Greece, Egypt, Turkey, the Caribbean, and other locations. Billy served as president of the local chapter of the Friendship Force, which is an organization founded by President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, dedicated to fostering friendships across the world through home-hosting travel exchanges. Through this organization, Billy and Thelma hosted and visited with people from Japan, Australia, England, Germany, Ukraine, and Russia. In addition to traveling the world, Billy and Thelma travelled extensively throughout the United States, often enjoying trips with dear friends and family members.
Billy loved to eat, and could scarf down almost anything that wouldn’t eat him first. While in college, he was once banned from eating at a particular boarding house because he ate too much. There was only one food that he had a distaste for, which was coconut. He loved playing cards, most especially bridge. He and Thelma spent many afternoons and evenings playing bridge with their many, many bridge friends over the years. And no matter who they played with, one thing was consistent, it was always the men verses the women. Being adversaries instead of partners helped keep marriages intact, although Billy could sometimes test this by being a particularly smug winner!
In all that he accomplished in this life, however, absolutely nothing gave Billy greater joy and meaning than serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His love for the Lord and striving to be obedient to his word truly defined his very being. Billy was one of the founding members of the Valleydale Church of Christ, which many years later relocated to Helena. While at Helena, he, along with brother Jay Johnson, became the first elders ever appointed at this congregation. He was a prolific writer, and a regular contributor of articles for the church bulletin. He also authored and published a booklet entitled “In Christ”, of which he was most humbly gratified. Billy was a servant, a counselor, a friend, a mentor, and a rock. His was truly a life well lived.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmy and Nellie Walker. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 67 years, Thelma. His dear sister, Jane Knouff. His sons, Phillip (Bonnie), Alan (Jane), and Michael. Grandchildren Rachel Sims, Daniel Walker, William Walker (Skyler), Sarah McFall (Tad), Cameron and Sophie Walker. Great grandchildren Silas, Rhoda, and Abner Sims, Lucas Walker, and Thomas McFall. Also, a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and family.
The family would like to thank the staff of Aveanna Hospice, especially Nikkole and Patricia, for their compassionate care. We would also like to thank Tony, of Right at Home care, for his genuine concern and care for his “buddy”.
Billy’s visitation and funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 21 at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham Alabama, with the visitation being held from 10:00 – 11:30, with the funeral service beginning at 11:30. A committal service will take place afterward at The National Cemetery, 3133 Hwy 119, Montevallo, Alabama.
The family suggests that any donations be made to The American Cancer Society, or The Spina Bifida Association of Georgia-Tennessee.
