ANOTHER OLD CITIZEN PASSES AWAY
Raised First Rice Crop In South Arkansas County

.....William L. Walker died suddenly Sunday afternoon of heart failure at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Roy, where he had resided for more than four years.
.....Mr. Walker was born at Odelle, Ill., May 8, 1863. He came to Arkansas County 45 years ago and became manager of Capt. John McWilliams' large ranch near St. Charles. As such he raised the first rice raised in the Southern District of Arkansas county in 1908 on this ranch.
.....Soon after his arrival here, he entered actively into the church and community life of the Pleasant Grove community and rapidly won the friendship of all the people there.
.....He came to DeWitt about 1911 and became a carpenter and contractor, which business he followed successfully until he became afflicted with rheumatism. He then became a cabinet maker, and was an artist at this work. He could make anything of wood.
.....He was well educated, a man of exceptional culture and refinement and better still possessed a rare nobility of character. He was the soul of honor. He possessed a rare beauty of soul seldom found in the hearts of men.
.....He was never married. He is survived by three brothers, two who live in Odelle, Ill., one in Iowa and a sister who resided in Canada.
.....H dearly loved young people, and since his death, it has been said of him, "he knew every child in town."
.....He was not a member of the church, but during all these years had been a member of the Methodist Church choir. The life he lived in our midst speaks more convincingly of his Christian character than the name on a church roll.
.....The following little gem found in his spectacle case after his death reflects the character of William Walker:
"I'd rather have good wishes
Than any kind of gift;
I'd rather have a friendly smile
To give my heart a lift.
I'd rather have your kindest thoughts
Than treasure rare from foreign lands;
And how I'll always treasure
The clasp of a dear friend's hand"
.....His parents lived near the home of President Lincoln and were supporters of him and the Republican party from its founding. William Walker followed in their footsteps, and the party never had a more faithful devotee. He was several times its candidate for County office.
.....Funeral serves were held at the DeWitt Methodist Chruch, where in the choir his voice had been heard for more than thirty years. Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock. The remains were then sent to his old home in Illinois for interment. There was a large attendance.
.....In his passing, DeWitt has lost a truly noble character.
(Source: DeWitt Era-Enterprise, March 19, 1942, Vol. 59, Page 1 & 8)