Memories of William "Billy Joe" Joe Walker

In memory of

William "Billy Joe" Joe Walker

Vail, AZ, USA

1949 - February 5, 2021

1949 - Feb 5, 2021

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Linda Walker

I would like to thank all of you who made Bill's celebration of life so successful. It pleased me to see so many friends and relatives who had such fond memories. He had no idea how many lives he touched in such a meaningful way. I appreciate all the supportive cards, flowers and baked goods. Love to everyone, and remember to tell those you care about how much you love them. I got to have last words with Bill, but not everyone is as blessed as I was.

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Bill & Kathy Crowder

Really, my last picture. This is 2011, Seaside Oregon, so much fun. The Walkers and Crowders using wardrobe to create a short story. Here is the cast: Marshall Dillon (Walker), taking Billy the Kid (Crowder) to jail; Miss Kitty, gaga over Matt Dillon; and Kathy, one of Miss Kitty’s hard working girls looking for some fun.

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Doug and Laura Galipeau

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Paul Herguth

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Paul Herguth

2017, Vacaville, CA, USA

Dad and me when he visited for my birthday. He always gave me advice and encouragement. Such a good man who worked hard to raise a great family. He loved with a big heart. I’m proud to be one of his sons.

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Bill & Kathy Crowder

Joe Johnson

All-Star game. Community LL. I believe we won this game big.

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Joe Johnson

Olders moving onto Pony ball the following year

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Joe Johnson

What a team!

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Comments:

Linda Walker

You guys were great kids. How wonderful that you managed to save these pictures. You guys were great kids. How wonderful that you managed to save these pictures. You guys were great kids. How wonderful that you managed... Read more

Linda Walker

Bill & Kathy Crowder

Comments:

Linda Walker

I can still hear him. "You're cold already? Just one more hill and we will go back." Only that man could... Read more I can still hear him. "You're cold already? Just one more hill and we will go back." Only that man could get me out for a walk... Read more I can still hear him. "You're cold already? Just ... Read more

Linda Walker

Comments:

Linda Walker

Bill at the Pinetop house. He loved an adventure. He heard it was going to snow, and we were off to it.... Read more Bill at the Pinetop house. He loved an adventure. He heard it was going to snow, and we were off to it. Bill at the Pinetop house. He loved an adventure. ... Read more

Linda Walker

Comments:

Linda Walker

Bill with grandson Will. Any outdoor sport was fun in any weather. Bill with grandson Will. Any outdoor sport was fun in any weather. Bill with grandson Will. Any outdoor sport was fun... Read more

Joe Johnson

First off I’d like to send my condolences to the entire Walker family. Boy, this is a difficult one as I thought of Bill (aka Mr. Walker to me) as a 2nd father or the Uncle you always wished you had. He was both for me. I first met Bill back in the early 80’s when I was on his Minor league baseball team (9-10 yr olds) with his son Joe (Big Joe as he was called and I was called Little Joe). This is where a lifelong friendship would begin and how I learned most everything I would need to know about baseball, sports and life. Mr. Walker took me under his wing and treated me as one of his own. I owe so much to Mr. Walker and the entire Walker family (Lindy, Joe, Sherry, Marty, Mimi and Pop, Teda & Cowboy Bill etc.) as they always invited me to their family events and treated me as family. So many memories; some good, some bad, some funny and some sad, but all made lasting impressions on me to this day.

These are just a few of the things I learned:

- How to throw a curveball! I was told I had the nastiest curveball in high school and it was all due to a simple flick of the wrist that Bill showed me.
- How to get a base runner caught in a pickle, out in 2 throws or less. (Yes, run at him and make him commit…)
- How to turn a double play like a pro by sweeping the base in a continuous motion.
- How to bunt properly (make sure those fingers are not wrapped around the bat)
- How its easier to bring your glove up on a grounder instead of down. (“Joe. Keep your glove down and bring it up. Your reflexes are faster coming up than going down.”)
- If we did something wrong or didn’t hustle, he would say something like, “Joe, go run over to that tree on the far side of the field and see if your names on it”. You know, it never was!
- How to gut a fish properly (I was scared the first time to even touch a fish, let alone gut one. After a few days on the river, I was a filleting machine. Haha not really but I know how to clean a fish now!)
- How to go Snipe hunting at night on Mt. Lemmon. (Yea, funny Mr. Walker…. I’ll keep looking for the Snipes)
- How to play Craps. Many a night I stayed with Mr. Walker playing Craps at the Stardust in Vegas till the wee hours of the morning. I found if I just hung out with him he would throw me a few chips ever time he won big. I think I ended up with close to $300 one night as he was on roll. It was always great fun on those Vegas outings and you know the only game I now play is Vegas is… well, you guessed it, Craps. Yo 7 – 11, Press it, we need a little Joe, give me the 6 & 8, and give me all the hard ways. Yea, it was like a movie.
- I also learned how to tell a good joke. I’m guessing he got these from the Fire Dept as every time I saw him he had new material. I think he could have been a comedian if he really wanted to.
- Another thing I learned is sometimes its good to keep your mouth shut.  I remember the story of you being at Joes football practice at Lakeside Park and I guess you got in an argument with someone and they said they were going to sic their dog on you. Of course you said bring it and then next thing you are battling a dog with a golf club in the middle of football practice. I may not have all the facts correct but it was something like that.

These are just a few and there are many many more. As you can see Mr. Walker was more than just a baseball coach for me. He was a teacher, a mentor, a confidant, and someone I could go to and get an honest opinion about life in this crazy world we live in. Later in life he would call out of the blue just to see how things were going and we would pick up right where we left off. Even though it may have been 12 months since we last spoke, it was always like he was right next door. I’m really going to miss him as I know Lindy, Joe, Sherry, Marty and all his grandkids and great grandkids will. I’m so glad I had the chance to learn from Mr. Walker and want you to know that you are in my heart and I love you all. They say to imitate someone is the sincerest form of flattery. If that’s so, then I’m guilty of doing many of the things that he did. I will always help people when they need help, I will drive them to practices if they don’t have a ride, I will buy them food if they need it, and most importantly, I will make them feel welcome like they are part of the family as Mr. Walker did towards me.

Keep those angels laughing up in heaven. Tell them good (clean) jokes and stories and I’m sure we will meet again. Until next time, Take care Mr. Walker.

Love Little Joe

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Linda Walker

Paul Herguth

Comments:

Linda Walker

Thanks, Joe. That was touching. We all love you dearly. He would be so pleased that his legacy lives on.... Read more Thanks, Joe. That was touching. We all love you dearly. He would be so pleased that his legacy lives on. I've told my sons... Read more Thanks, Joe. That was touching. We all love you dearly.... Read more

Joe Johnson

I can see him doing that for sure. Of course, I know you also had a lot to do with keeping that ship moving... Read more I can see him doing that for sure. Of course, I know you also had a lot to do with keeping that ship moving in the right direction.... Read more I can see him doing that for sure. Of course, I know... Read more

Linda Walker

Hahaha, yes, Eddie was there that summer too. 5 active kids in the house. I remember doing load after ... Read more Hahaha, yes, Eddie was there that summer too. 5 active kids in the house. I remember doing load after load of laundry and dumping... Read more Hahaha, yes, Eddie was there that summer too. 5 active... Read more

Joe Johnson

Ft. Lowell Park

Walker Refrigeration winning the "Tournament of Champions" against Cactus Little League by Mr. Walkers gutsy call to have his son Joe steal home in the last inning to win in walk off fashion. Balls of steel to make that call!

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Comments:

Linda Walker

Indeed, he knew his players and what each was capable of doing. I remember the first time he had Steve Sanders... Read more Indeed, he knew his players and what each was capable of doing. I remember the first time he had Steve Sanders pitch. I was ... Read more Indeed, he knew his players and what each was capable... Read more

Linda Walker

Comments:

Linda Walker

Bill with granddaughter Holly. Good times, good memories. Bill with granddaughter Holly. Good times, good memories. Bill with granddaughter Holly. Good times, good memories.... Read more

Linda Walker

Drew Walker

Comments:

Linda Walker

Bill takes grandson Drew to visit his great grandfather, Joe. Bill takes grandson Drew to visit his great grandfather, Joe. Bill takes grandson Drew to visit his great grandfather,... Read more

Antoinette Cornelius

I never realized how much Drew looks like Will or how much DJ looks like Drew. Ha! I never realized how much Drew looks like Will or how much DJ looks like Drew. Ha! I never realized how much Drew looks like Will or how... Read more

Linda Walker

Drew Walker

Bill & Kathy Crowder

Comments:

Linda Walker

Bill baiting hooks for grandkids and their friends. How many hooks can he bait in 1 minute? As soon as ... Read more Bill baiting hooks for grandkids and their friends. How many hooks can he bait in 1 minute? As soon as he got them baited, they... Read more Bill baiting hooks for grandkids and their friends.... Read more

Linda Walker

Drew Walker

Bill & Kathy Crowder

Paul Herguth

Comments:

Linda Walker

Bill in Hawaii rejects all the rich, exotic cuisine to be enjoyed on the island, but gets excited about finding... Read more Bill in Hawaii rejects all the rich, exotic cuisine to be enjoyed on the island, but gets excited about finding a taco stand. ... Read more Bill in Hawaii rejects all the rich, exotic cuisine... Read more

Bill & Kathy Crowder

When you grow up eating tacos and Mexican food at the Triple XXX, you are hooked for life. When you grow up eating tacos and Mexican food at the Triple XXX, you are hooked for life. When you grow up eating tacos and Mexican food at ... Read more

Antoinette Cornelius

Every time I drive by that Taco Bell I think of him. 🤣 Every time I drive by that Taco Bell I think of him. 🤣 Every time I drive by that Taco Bell I think of him.... Read more

Linda Walker

Drew Walker

Antoinette Cornelius

Comments:

Linda Walker

Bill helping grandson Will pull in the big fish in Mexico in 2008. Bill helping grandson Will pull in the big fish in Mexico in 2008. Bill helping grandson Will pull in the big fish in ... Read more

Bill & Kathy Crowder

Here is one of my favorites. The year was 1999, we all met in Vegas to celebrate our 50th birthday but we celebrated like it was our 21st. Here are the people: Walker kissing Crowders head; back row: 1) the one and only Aaron Kizer, 2) John O’Donnell aka “Mister”, 3) John Rex, one the most kind and generous people I have ever met, 4) Mike Ells, never at a loss for words. Love you guys"

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Bill & Kathy Crowder

1967 Superior High School senior prom; Bill Crowder, Laura Clark, Marchand Conyer and Billy Joe Walker, lookin' good.

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Comments:

Linda Walker

The rest of the story about Marchand is that she still has a scar from the time she was with Billy as he rolled his 56 Chevy.  Many, many years later he bought another 56 Chevy "just like the one I had as a kid".  When Billy  and Marchand were reunited through son, Joe,  Billy asked me if I minded  if he drove to Wilcox in his 56 Chevy and took Marchand  to lunch.  Although I thought it would make a great story, I assumed that Marchand would need to be a very brave soul or a very slow learner to get back into a 56 Chevy with Billy Joe Walker.  Whichever it was, Marchand and Billy were catching up on old times in a Wilcox cafe when a couple came in asking about the 56 Chevy  parked outside.  Billy proceeded to tell them the story of how he had one like it when he was a kid, and Marchand showed them the scar she had carried since the wreck.  The couple remarked on how  great it was that they were still together after all these years.  Billy said they all laughed when it was explained that they were long married to other people and were just catching up on lives spent totally separate.  Marchand's hair in this picture was certainly the formal style of the day and is the way I was wearing my hair the night I met Billy.  I smile thinking about he would have had me wear my hair that way forever.  I had to explain to him that after I hit 60, I didn't have enough hair to wear it that way even if the style came back.

The rest of the story about Marchand is that she still has a scar from the time she was with Billy as he ... Read more The rest of the story about Marchand is that she still has a scar from the time she was with Billy as he rolled his 56 Chevy. ... Read more The rest of the story about Marchand is that she still... Read more

John & Nan O’Donnell

1964

Team Photo 1964 Superior Senior League; Fourteen Superior boys make Arizona history

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Linda Walker

John & Nan O’Donnell

1964

Comments:

Linda Walker

A bunch of talented boys with a great coach went a lot further than anyone outside of Superior, AZ could ... Read more A bunch of talented boys with a great coach went a lot further than anyone outside of Superior, AZ could have guessed they would.... Read more A bunch of talented boys with a great coach went a ... Read more

John & Nan O’Donnell

Chase Field, East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ, USA

Diamondbacks Invite 1964 Superior Senior League Team (50 Years Later)

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Linda Walker

Antoinette Cornelius

John & Nan O’Donnell

Superior, AZ, USA

Billy Joe and Johnny

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Comments:

Linda Walker

Ah, this was taken at one of those great reunion parties where the nonbred Superior wives like Nan, Kathy,... Read more Ah, this was taken at one of those great reunion parties where the nonbred Superior wives like Nan, Kathy, and Lindy would sneak... Read more Ah, this was taken at one of those great reunion parties... Read more

John & Nan O’Donnell

2017

Billy Joe, Robert, Crowder, Ruiz, OD, Gonzalo, Aaron, Dee Dee, Mary Rose, Gloria

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Comments:

Linda Walker

That was a great party. Good memories. That was a great party. Good memories. That was a great party. Good memories.

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Created with love by Joe Walker (Billy Joe's son), Sherry Von Dohlan (Billy Joe's daughter), Dawn Walker (Billy Joe's daughter-in-law), Martin Walker (Billy Joe's son), Linda Walker (Billy Joe's spouse) and Holly Von Dohlen (Billy Joe's granddaughter).

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