Bill Walls (Plainview)

Bill Walls, 94, of Plainview passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Visitation will be at Kornerstone Funeral Directors from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2026. Graveside services will be at Plainview Memorial Park at 12 p.m. Monday, February 16, 2026. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview.

Bill was born to James Euell and Gracie Cosby Walls on April 18, 1931, in Nocona, TX. As he grew up, Bill worked after school, pumping water for cows, picking eggs and feeding chickens, stacking hay in the barn, and more.

While in school at Prairie Valley High, wandering across the gym, someone threw him a basketball and encouraged him to shoot the ball into the basket. He had never held a basketball before. First shot, second shot, third shot all went in, and the PE coach told Bill he needed to be introduced to the basketball coach. Bill played varsity basketball at Prairie Valley and earned a scholarship to attend Howard Payne University. In 23 games during the 1952-53 season, he scored 513 points which is one of the highest single season totals in Howard Payne history. And for more than one year he was the highest scorer in the Texas Conference.

On campus one day he was near the library, where he claimed, with a smile, that he spent much of his time, and encountered a beautiful female student working for the school newspaper, carrying a new camera. She asked him if she could take his picture. In that moment, Bill met the love of his life, Maxie Turner. Once Bill and Maxie graduated, they married in 1953 at First Baptist Church in Hale Center. Shortly thereafter, Bill was called to the service and sent to Japan to serve in the U.S. Army before being honorably discharged, and then he began farming in Hale County.

Bill and Maxie were active in the Plainview community with a focus on family and their faith. For many years, Bill served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at College Heights Baptist Church, where Maxie played the piano, sister-in-law Pat Johnson played the organ, and brother-in-law W.C. “Dub” Johnson sang in the choir and served as a deacon. In later years, Bill and Maxie attended First Baptist Church in Plainview.

Bill took great pride in farming, knowing that the food and fiber he grew, tended and harvested ended up feeding and clothing others. You could ask his sons if he would be content with a field of cotton, soybeans, milo or wheat befouled by even one careless weed. He was known for his friendly nature, welcoming smile and ability to tell a joke or turn a phrase that left others laughing. He enjoyed sports, movies, music and family above all. His family and friends mourn his passing.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of more than 70 years, Maxie; their daughter, Carissa; his parents; and three brothers and a sister.

Survivors include his sons, Doyle Walls and wife Teresia, John Walls and wife Dawna; four grandchildren; and beloved relatives and friends.

The family extends great thanks to the staff at Westridge Manor and Connie’s Compassionate Care for the special support they provided for Bill during the past two years.

The family suggests memorials in his name to Shriners Hospitals for Children, www.lovetotherescue.org.