William Bolton Walker III

1944 - 2024

William Bolton (Bo) Walker, III

April 1, 1944 - February 23, 2024

William Bolton "Bo" Walker, III, 79, of Hickory, passed away Friday, February 23, 2024 at Frye Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born in Catawba County, he was the son of the late William Bolton Walker, Jr. and Pauline Mae Dell Walker.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Jay Walker of Long Beach, Ca.

Bo was a life-long resident of Hickory. He was raised in the Episcopal Church of the Ascension. He was also active in the Boy Scouts of America as a Troop leader. He was a lifetime supporter of the American Red Cross with both whole blood and apheresis donations. His love of classical music led him to volunteer at various fundraising events for WDAV. Dad was a firm believer that everyone should listen to Appalachian Spring just once in their life.

Bo's biggest passion was for Amateur or HAM radio. He earned his license in 1958 with the call of KN4BWZ. Later in his life he changed his call to W4ZCV until he could finally get the call of K1BO. He was always with his HAM radio friends - building towers, working a field day, checking into the R.A.C.E.S. net, and talking to people all over the world. He taught us to always keep a lookout for Amateur radio license plates wherever we went. Bo is now a Silent Key.

Bo spent his working career at Del-Mark, Inc, a family owned business. He retired as President in 2014 after a 50+year career.

Bo is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances H. Walker, their daughter Beth Brown of Hickory, sons William Walker IV of Hickory and Christopher Walker of Eagan, Mn.. He also leaves behind his brothers Davis H Walker and wife Patricia of Bethlehem and J Wells Walker and wife Lyn of Hickory.

The true lights of his life were his grandchildren - Nathaniel Brown and wife Hannah of Ft. Worth, Tx, Reileigh Brown of Hickory, Jeremiah and Isaiah Walker of Eagan, Mn. The latest light added to his life was his Great-granddaughter Olive Brown of Hickory.

The family would like to express our sincerest thanks to the wonderful staff of Trinity Ridge Rehab and all the nurses, doctors, and staff at Frye. Daddy was treated with dignity and respect in every department he visited. We are truly grateful.

We will have a graveside service at the church memorial garden of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension on Thursday March 7, 2024 at 1 p.m. We hope to share memories and funny stories afterwards in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, Bo would have preferred a simple donation to either WDAV or The American Red Cross.

As a family, we would like to leave you with two little sayings daddy always used. He wanted everyone to know that he has now "assumed room temperature" and that "If you build it, he will come."

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Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory is serving the Walker family.