Billie Eugene Walker

Billie Eugene Walker, 95, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Funeral will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Southern Hills Baptist Church. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel. His final resting place will be Memorial Park Cemetery.

Billie “Bill” Eugene Walker, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, educator, and faithful servant of the Lord, was born on May 31, 1930, in Buhl, Idaho, during the beginning of the Great Depression. In 1931, his family relocated to his mother’s family farm in southern Missouri, where he was raised. Bill developed a strong work ethic at a young age and found joy in caring for the cows, hogs, chickens, horses, and mules on the farm. Though farm life was not easy, he cherished the freedom and simplicity it offered and dreamed of owning a farm or ranch someday.

Shortly after his 20th birthday, the Korean War began. While many young men were drafted, Bill chose to proudly serve his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. Following his honorable discharge, he utilized the opportunities provided through his military service to earn his bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University while working for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas.

In Mountain Grove, Missouri, Bill met the love of his life, Jeanie, while she was delivering flowers for her family’s floral shop. Bill and Jeanie were united in marriage on October 15, 1955, beginning a beautiful journey together that would span 70 years. During their seven years in Wichita, they welcomed two children into their family: a son, Gary, and a daughter, Kimberly.

From 1962 to 1965, the family lived in Houston, Missouri, pursuing a business venture. In November 1963, Bill accepted a position with Western Iowa Technical Community College as a vocational-technical instructor in Sioux City, Iowa, where he taught for 11 years before moving into a management role, which he held until his retirement in 1992. After two years of Bill teaching in Iowa and Jeanie managing their business in Missouri, Jeanie and the children joined him in Iowa, where they established their family home.

Bill’s dedication to education continued as he earned his Master’s Degree in Administration & Supervision of Career & Vocational Education from Colorado State University in 1967. During his time in Colorado, he discovered a lifelong love for camping, fishing, and time with loved ones. For many years afterward, Bill and Jeanie made treasured memories vacationing in the Colorado mountains with their growing family.

As the years passed, Bill and Jeanie’s family continued to grow, becoming one of their greatest blessings. Together, they were proud of their six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Many of their grandchildren fondly remember the family’s yearly trips to Colorado, filled with fishing, campfires, firepit pies, s’mores, and special trips to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming to enjoy the rodeo and evening entertainment.

In 1997, Bill and Jeanie began splitting their time between Texas and Sioux City, spending six months of the year in each place. Bill deeply loved sharing the word of the Lord, traveling with Jeanie, and spending time surrounded by his family.

Bill and Jeanie celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on October 15, 2025 — just 13 days before Jeanie’s passing. In the final six months of his life, Bill spent three months at his daughter’s home, where he loved frequent visits by his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his dedication to family, his gentle spirit, and the life lessons he passed down through generations. Though our dad and papa will be deeply missed, we find comfort in knowing he has been reunited in Heaven with our mom and gram, whom he missed dearly since her passing.