Name: Visitation for Dr. William WALKER
Start: 2016-06-19T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-06-19T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Providence Missionary Baptist Church

WALKER, Dr. William If life is a song worth singing, then every breath taken should exude the melody, the harmony and the rhapsody of William "Sonny" Walker. Over the course of his long life he left an indelible mark on the lives of every person he encountered as a civil rights activist, nonprofit executive, entrepreneur and mentor. After a brief illness, Dr. William "Sonny" Walker,82, who was of Atlanta for more than 40 years, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. His Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, June 20, 2016, 11:00am at Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College, 830 Westview Drive, SW, Atlanta, with remains instate at 10:00AM. He is survived by two sons, William L. "Bill" Walker, Jr. (Sharon) and James D. "Jimmy" Walker (Stephanie); Cheryl D. Walker, Leslie Walker, seven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation Sunday, June 19, 2016 at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, 2295 Benjamin E. Mays Drive, SW Atlanta, from 6-7pm. Willie A. Watkins Historic West End Chapel, 404-758-1731.

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Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution from Jun. 17 to Jun. 19, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for William WALKER

38 Entries

Evelyn Walker Bryant

June 11, 2020

Gone but definitely not forgotten!

July 23, 2016

William Sonny Walker was A much loved Hero in this tiny historic City of Tuskegee, Alabama. An annual speaker of Tuskegee's GRASS ROOTS RALLY where people came from the corners of rural Alabama to hear him speak. He greeted people individually with that wonderful voice and smile. Sonny could light up a room just by his presence. As my career progressed I could always call Sonny for help and advise. As my daughters grew up and their career's progressed they could always call Mr. Walker. Sonny will always live in the hearts of my family and in the hearts of The Community Action Agencies through out the southeast. GRIEVE HIM BUT LIFT YOUR SPIRITS BECAUSE AS WE LOVED SONNY WE LOVE YOU. Remember those times that will make you smile. There is a song IF I COULD that he would sing to you.

July 18, 2016

The entire Cook family (Chicago) expresses our sincere condolences to the family on the transition of our cousin sonny Walker. He was an awesome and loving member of this family. He will be missed.
Doncella Eoods Pamon (daughter of the late Hattie Cook Woods).

July 2, 2016

May the family find comfort in each other during this difficult time. My sincere condolences. Psalms 115:16.

Verna Woods White

July 1, 2016

RIP fellow Arkansan. My prayers and condolences to your family and many friends. You put our town,university and state on the mind many as a leader, role model and reminder of what a small town fellow is capable of achieving. Thank you for your service.

Elizabeth Delain

July 1, 2016

Mr. Walker will be truly missed by his loving family and the world.Take comfort in God's Word that will be a ressurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous Acts 5: 28, 29

June 30, 2016

Wish to extend my deepest sympathies at this difficult time,May God grant Family & Friends peace, strength and comfort during this time of sadness.

T.T.

June 30, 2016

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. My prayers are with you both now,and forever.

June 30, 2016

May the Walker family fined comfort in the God of all comfort and peace.(2Cor.1:2,3). D.H.Atl.Ga.

June 30, 2016

Sonny is gone but not forgotten.

Patti Rafferty

June 26, 2016

I just learned about Sonny's passing today and am so sorry that I missed his Home Coming. He was not only a wonderful person but also a wonderful friend to my late husband, Tom Rafferty and me. The day before Tom died, Sonny came to the house and sat all afternoon with him. It was a beautiful gesture of love and friendship and sooo Sonny! He must have had an extraordinary welcome at those "Pearly Gates" and is now surrounded by loved ones, family and friends. My heart goes out to his family. I hope you can draw some comfort from knowing how many people loved him also. May he rest in peace.

Donald Randolph

June 23, 2016

My sympathy and prayers are extended for the family of Dr. William (Sonny) Walker. As a teenager following several years behind him at Merrill High School and AM&N College in Pine Bluff, I looked up to him and Leon (Big Randy) Randolph as my two big brothers.

I attempted to follow in his footsteps at both schools and found the footprints most difficult to trace. His achievements in the ensuing years have made that task impossible.

Rest in peace Sonny. You have earned it.

Donald (Little Randy) Randolph

June 22, 2016

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Dr, William Sonny Walker. Sonny was a pillar to our community and a role model, he was a long standing member of the GPEE board and a friend to us all. We will truly miss him...
The Staff of The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education

Walter Banks

June 21, 2016

To Dr. William Walker Family, please know that our hearts and thoughts are with you during this time of grieving. Please know that you are not alone in remembering a truly wonderful person that meant so much to many people.

Evelyn Walker Bryant

June 20, 2016

The first time I met this great man was at a Community Action Summit in St. Simons Island Georgia. He was the key note speaker. There was such a presence about him that commanded attention from the entire room. I have great memories that I will cherish.

I say also to his family to cherish the memories that you had with him. I know there were many. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Evelyn Walker Bryant

Sonny & Coretta Scott King welcoming Nelson Mandela to the King Center

Susan Ross

June 20, 2016

June 19, 2016

I've know Sonny for decades and every time I was in presence, I felt honored by his life's history & energized by his constant enthusiasm for life. He was a civil rights pioneer & a well-spoken gentleman that displayed compassion, dignity, purpose, respect & wisdom.

Sonny provided me with great books & fundraising ideas for my non-profit. I
felt privileged to be under his tutelage.

His legacy not only lives on in his many contributions to the history of civil rights, but also in the countless ways in which he helped others. Sonny never met a stranger!

This world is a much better place because of William Sonny Walker's dedication & focus! Scripture talks about running the good race and Sonny did that!

Know that my prayers for comfort & strength are with the family.

Paula Smith, Board Member
Students Without Mothers

Lili Baxter

June 19, 2016

Dr. Sonny Walker was a great motivator and support during the years I worked at The King Center. He could always be counted on to give words of encouragement, and tell wonderful stories with warmth, intelligence and a twinkle in his eye. Heartfelt sympathy to his family. May his memory be a blessing.

Dea. Bobby L. Fuse, Jr.

June 19, 2016

With my sincere sympathy, I pray you will be comforted by great memories and a legacy of service of a good man and friend.

Gladys

June 19, 2016

A life well lived is an inspiration to us all. Remembering "Little Sonny Walker" from his youth in Pine Bluff and his dedication and devotion to AM&N/UAPB and the Alumni Association Gladys Turner Finney

The Thomas Family Remembering Sonny

Vonda Thomas

June 19, 2016

The Staff of Willie A. Watkins, Inc. Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home

June 19, 2016

Offering our deepest condolences during this time.

Preston weaver

June 18, 2016

Condolences to the Walker family. He was a strong advocate for the "War On Poverty" and an astute professional. His presence will be missed.

Erma Hayslett

June 18, 2016

We send our deepest condolences to the Walker family from the Memphis area. He was the greatest motivator, coach and mentor. We thank GOD for the opportunities we had to be part of his leadership both in Memphis and Atlanta through our mutual friend, Shirley Hayslett.

You will always live in our hearts and prayers.

Chandra Hall

June 18, 2016

William Walker was a great inspiration and devoted friend. He paved the way for me and many others. I will miss his guidance and candid talks.

Horace and Joy Springer

June 18, 2016

To the Family of Dr. William Walker:

Keeping you in our prayers .. .. May God continue to be with you during this difficult time...

Myra Surratt-Walters

June 17, 2016

We extend prayers of Peace and Comfort to the family of Dr. William "Sonny" Walker. May your Legacy be remembered for generations to come. Sincerely, The Georgia Chapter of Former Arkansas Residents.

Jan Brown

June 17, 2016

A Great Man of love and courage.
Always a friend to all who met him.
He was there for the Late Civil Rights Leaders L.C. & Daisy Bates.
God Bless you Bill and family.

Jan Brown, God daughter of Mr. & Mrs. L.C.Bates

Melvin Everson

June 17, 2016

Dr. William Sonny Walker was one Great American. His contributions for a better society will be and are documented in history books. Because of him and many more like him, I am where I am. On behalf of GCEO, our deepest sympathies to the Walker Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord". RIP Dr. William Sonny Walker
Melvin Everson
Executive Director
Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity
Governor's Office

Monica Douglas

June 17, 2016

My you find peace in knowing that 'Sonny' was a great man in so many different ways and on so many levels. He will truly be missed.

Janice Mathis

June 17, 2016

He was a great person and will be remembered for many years to come. He always had time for people and always had that wonderful smile. He did a lot of good for the state of Georgia.

June 17, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Brenda Carrecter Adams

June 17, 2016

My sincerest condolences to the family of William "Sonny" Walker. I will always remember him from the days that he directed the Office of Economic Opportunity/Community Services Administration. He was a true advocate for the "War on Poverty" and led us through some trying times. His dedication to community service and advocacy will always be appreciated and cherished. I pray that your faith in God and your loving memories will sustain you and yours in the days ahead. Much love.

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