Billy Ray Walker

Gentry-Morrison services honoring Billy R. Walker, 82, will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024 at Little Flock Church between 9 AM and 10 AM. He will be laid to rest immediately following the services in Hancock/Raulerson Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gilbert Hancock, Ethan Hancock, Gary Coleman, Barrett Walker, Joshua Walker, JJ Byrd, Dalton Byrd and Jesse Byrd. Billy is preceded in death by his devoted wife, Carolyn Ann Walker, parents, Scott and Thelma Mae Walker, and three brothers, James, Harold and Lonnie Walker. Those left to cherish Billy’s memory include his siblings, Robert Walker and Mae Walker Crews; his children, Gary Walker, spouse Barbara, Lori Hancock, spouse Gilbert, and Loyd Walker; grandchildren, Justin Walker, spouse Jenna, Matthew Walker, spouse Jessica, Kyle Walker, Ethan Hancock and AJ Hancock; Great grandchildren, Harrison, Emma, and Hayden. Billy was devoted to God and lived for the Lord Jesus from an early age till his death. He was a dedicated and devoted husband to Carolyn Walker, the love of his life and to whom he was happily married for 55 years till her passing in 2018. In fact, to truly know him you’d half to know his wife, who was head over heels in love with him all of her days, and he with her. He’d tell the story of how one day, he was plowing with a mule as a young man, then stopped, knelt down in the dirt and prayed. He said “God, I want you to give me a wife. I want her to love me, and love our kids, all of her days.” Then he got up and went right back to plowing. The rest of that story will be shared at the graveside service, but suffice it to say God granted his request. God gave them three beautiful children, Gary, Lori and Loyd, whom they raised in the nature and admonition of the Lord. He loved his children, his grandchildren Justin, Matthew, Kyle, Ethan and AJ, and his great grandchild, Emma. He’d talk about, and pray for them daily. God gifted Billy with many talents and he used them on His behalf, and for his family. He was smart, funny, witty, larger than life at times. He had a generous heart, and often gave everything he had to help someone in need. He didn’t seem to know the word “impossible” and many of those he helped had said it couldn’t be done, until he got involved and the outcome changed in their favor. He farmed growing up, worked at Florida Tile for years, and eventually started his own business, growing it until it became a major player in the mobile home and housing construction industry. After selling the business, he went back to farming and selling produce, and raising cattle for years. Billy loved the outdoors, going for drives, sports, watching westerns at times and most especially being around family. He cherished large gatherings surrounded by family, tables covered with food, and the smiles and laughter of family reminiscing about old times and new ones we’d experience. He loved and was influenced by a few he considered like family, including Thurston Walker, Gene and Wynette Shultz, as well as many family members and friends who preceded him in death. He was a father figure to many, a great friend to others, and a man many respected and admired. Through good times and bad, Billy kept his integrity and served God and sacrificed for his family, ensuring a lasting legacy that touches the lives of many. An amazing man, a dedicated husband, a doting father and grandfather, and a servant of Jesus Christ, whom he is now home in Heaven with, as well as reunited with his loving wife, who has been waiting for him for 6 years. He would tell her, “I’ll see you by the river” and that reality happened the afternoon of October 18, 2024. Thanks to his legacy and God’s grace and mercy, the rest of his family will see him again one day, and get to hug his neck anew.

Billy Ray Walker

August 8, 1942 - October 18, 2024