Bill Walker Funeral
Notes
Transcript
Welcome
Welcome family and friends of Bill. Thank you for being here with us this morning.
We come together today in both a time of mourning and in a time of celebration.
(Beat)
We come to love and comfort and encourage one another in our sadness at the loss of someone dear to us.
We come to fondly remember a life of devotion to Jeanie, to family, to the church, and to his work.
But—more importantly—we come together to celebrate the life of Bill Walker.
(Beat)
Reading of Obituary
Billie Eugene Walker was born on May 31, 1930 in Buhl, Idaho. As the Great Depression settled in, his parents soon relocated to the farm of his maternal grandparents in Southern Missouri.
Being raised on a farm was not easy, but Bill enjoyed the freedom and simplicity that farm life offered him. Each day, he rose to a list of never-ending chores that came with life on a farm. There were cows and hogs and chickens and horses and mules that all needed tending to.
Bill learned to love those animals and dreamed about one day owning a farm himself. Even in his mid-90’s, he still enjoyed tending his little garden in the backyard.
Last year, it was growing out of control as the Summer rain helped it to thrive. He couldn’t keep up with all the growth. I asked him what he was growing out there besides his gigantic tomato plants.
He rattled off 5 or 6 things before he got to spicy peppers. I asked him if he liked spicy peppers. He said, “Nope. But they are fun to grow.”
(Beat)
To my memory, Bill didn’t grow up going to church, but he learned to love God’s creation as a child—being outdoors, and especially plants and animals.
(Beat)
Shortly after his 20th birthday, the Korean War began. As the young men around him started to be drafted, Bill chose instead to go and enlist in the United States Navy. Luckily, he did not see the war, but he served honorably in Guam. After his discharge, Bill returned home, pondering how he would make a living.
He told me that he went to some kind of event and saw a bunch of people standing in line. He said, “I saw a line, so I figured I’d get in it.”
It was only after he got in the line that he found out that it was all people trying to get hired at Boeing Aircraft. Unexpectedly, Bill got the job.
Around this time, Bill also met a lovely young lady named Donna Jean—5 years his junior. She was delivering some flowers for her family’s floral shop. Somehow he sweet-talked her into marrying him. And faster than greased lighting, Bill had her leaving Missouri and moving to Wichita for his Boeing job.
They stayed there for 7 years with Bill working for Boeing while going to school at Wichita State. It was there that they welcomed their two children, Gary and Kimberly.
In 1962, Bill left Boeing and the family moved to Houston, Missouri—not far from where Bill and Jeanie met. There, they made a decision together to purchase their own flower shop.
Bill wasn’t quite sure what to do in a flower shop, but Jeanie surely put him to work.
One day the following year, Bill received a phone call that would change the trajectory of their lives. “Come to Sioux City, Iowa,” the caller said. It was one of Bill’s old coworkers from Boeing.
It seems that he had helped to start a new technical college in Northwest Iowa. “Come and spend a week here and see what we have in the works.”
Bill was skeptical—Jeanie even more so—but his curiosity was piqued. He came and found a small school meeting in a rented building. They asked him to move to Sioux City and build out an engineering program for the school.
And while he couldn’t imagine leaving the warmth of Southern Missouri for the frigid temperatures of the Great North, something drew him here.
Maybe it was the call to adventure.
Maybe it was the chance to build something for himself.
Or maybe it was God unknowingly directing his path.
We won’t ever know in this life. But what we do know is that it was not Jeanie...
(Beat)
Only the Lord knows how he convinced her to sell that flower shop and move up here. But it happened. Bill came in November of 1963, just in time for the Winter weather. The family would come two years later. He served Western Iowa Tech for almost 30 years—first as an instructor and later as an administrator.
He even managed to squeeze in a Master’s degree from Colorado State University. There, he learned to love the mountains—something that he wanted to share with his children and grandchildren. “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.”
Over the years here, Iowa brought many blessings to the Walker family.
Winter wasn’t one of them. In 1997, Bill and Jeanie began heading South to Texas for the Winter.
But beyond the blessing of family, Jeanie introduced Bill to Jesus here by bringing him to church.
(Beat)
In 7 weeks, this church will celebrate its 65th anniversary. Bill was here for 61 of those years. Before we had a building on this property, Bill was here. He helped to design and build every structure that you see here today.
And shortly after coming with his wife to the church for the first time, Bill gave his life to Christ. He was baptized here on January 23, 1966 in the baptismal you see behind me. It used to be in the East Wing in the original auditorium, but they moved it up when they built the Worship Center in 2000.
Bill and Jeanie have been a blessing to our church family for a long time and their legacy will be remembered here for years to come.
Last year, they celebrated their 70th anniversary just 13 days before Jeanie passed. The last several months were difficult for Bill without his wife. I’ll never forget his strength and devotion to Jeanie; watching him care for and serve her over the last year of her life was a blessing.
He couldn’t cook on the stove to save his life, but that wouldn’t stop him from preparing meals for his blessed wife. They were ornery and stubborn together—always picking on one another—but they loved each other fiercely.
I was happy to get to know Bill over the last two years. I haven’t had too many friends who were 50 years older than me, but that Missouri Mule was my friend and it was my privilege to serve him in any way that I could. I will miss him, just as you all will.
(Beat)
Bill passed a week ago today on May 14, 2026. But as he did, he stepped out of this life and into the next. He now stands in the presence of his Savior Jesus and is reunited with Jeanie, both of which bring him great joy.
I can imagine that smile on his face now, twinkle still in his eye.
Bill leaves behind his 2 children, 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
“He will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his dedication to family, his gentle spirit, and the life lessons he passed down through generations.”
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Please stand with me as I read our call to worship this morning.
[SLIDE x 3]
Call to Worship
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (/) All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (/) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Let us keep that in mind this morning as we come before our God in worship—that though we carry a burden, we do not have to carry it alone.
[MUSIC SLIDE]
As is fitting, Bill has chosen the music this morning. Please continue standing as we sing.
Opening Hymn (How Great Thou Art)
[SLIDE]
Scripture- Pastor Bob
For thus says the Lord:
“Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip,
and bounced upon her knees.
As one whom his mother comforts,
so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
Prayer of Comfort- Pastor Bob
[SERMON TITLE SLIDE]
Sermonette
Life can sometimes be difficult for us to endure. There are times in life where we feel strong and weathered. And then there are those times where we feel weak and broken. And this is all part of the human experience. We know—through experience—that each of us encounter these life-defining moments, whether for good or for bad.
For many of you here this morning, the loss of Bill is one of those moments in your life. Some will find comfort and closure in today’s events—not forgetting the past, but moving forward in a new sense of normal. Others will struggle with the void that was left in their lives in the loss of Bill.
But I am comforted by knowing that each of us have a choice as to whether we find our peace and strength in Jesus and his light burden, or whether we wrestle with the pain of death and tragedy all on our own.
(Beat)
We will be in Psalm 46 this morning. There are bibles in the pew-back in front of you if you would like to follow along, but the words will also be on the screen. There, we find a song written by the Sons of Korah—the temple singers appointed by King David. The psalm would have been sung to encourage those within the temple complex. Look with me at the song:
[PASSAGE SLIDE x4]
Read Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (/)
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. (/)
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” (/)
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
The company of singers sings of God’s greatness. They proclaim His might and His authority over creation—for He is the One who created it. He is the Most High God who rules above all things. Other beings—both natural and supernatural—must bow to His rule, for He spoke each of them into being.
Other “so-called gods” may be real supernatural beings, but they hold no sway over the Most High Creator God. And it is because He holds that supreme authority that we can come to Him and find rest in our time of need.
Look back with me at verses 1-3:
[PASSAGE SLIDE]
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
The singers proclaim that those who are loyal to God will find refuge in His presence. King David speaks of this in Psalm 23 when he speaks of God leading him to rest by still waters—and he finds this rest and protection even in the presence of his enemies!
God provides this rest and refuge for His children, not because they deserve it, but because He loves them. He loves them because they have recognized Him for who He is and have given them their hearts and their allegiance.
And so, for those who belong to the family of God, there is no reason to be anxious. “Though the earth give way” and mountains be thrown into the sea; even if the waters of chaos rage and the mountains shake in their boots, the children of God will find rest knowing that the Almighty Creator God has everything under His control.
Let’s go on to verses 4-5:
[PASSAGE SLIDE]
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The choir now sings of “a river whose streams make glad the city of God.”
What do they mean by this?
(Beat)
To understand the river here, we must look both backwards and forwards in Scripture. Genesis speaks of Eden as a holy mountain of God, where in chapter 2 we see that a river flows out from the garden bringing life to all of creation.
The symbol of the river is one of life-giving nourishment. It flows from the garden of God—the place where God dwells. In Genesis, it passes by the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, giving sustenance to both.
John picks up that same imagery in Revelation chapter 21 as he speaks of his vision of the future kingdom of heaven. There, we see that the sea is no more—chaos is finally gone, banished from the lives of God’s people. But the river that gives life remains. In chapter 22, John says that an angel showed him the river of life “flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”
It flows through the street of the city and past not one, but two trees of life. The tree of life from Genesis has grown so abundant that it now spans both banks of the river. And the fruit of life that it bears comes from the nourishment of the river, which flows from the throne of God.
It is the life-giving force of God’s love that makes the city of God glad. And what is that city? It is the dwelling place of God’s people—those loyal to Him. Every one of them dwell with Him in that holy place. Back to Revelation 21. John says,
Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”
It is God’s presence and His holy river of life that bring blessing and restoration to His people. And it is this hope that keeps His children going even when all seems lost.
Even when our lives on earth are falling apart, we intimately know the One who can calm the storm by His voice.
Look at verse 6:
[PASSAGE SLIDE]
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Even though creation seems to tear itself apart and human kingdoms falter, God holds all things in His hands. The One who spoke all things into being in Genesis chapter 1 can de-create simply by opening His mouth once again, just as He did during the flood in Genesis 6.
His power is absolute. And His mighty arm is all-sustaining. We find that our whole life is in His hands. As Paul said when speaking to the men in Athens, “in him we live and move and have our being.”
We live and serve at His pleasure. And Peter tells us that the only reason why we still endure this life corrupted by sin is because God “is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
God could wrap creation all up in a pretty little bow right now, but He loves His human imagers so much that He waits for many more of us to recognize Him as the Almighty Creator God and to bow the knee to Him.
For those of us who already belong to Him have no fear because “the Lord of hosts is with us.”
In Hebrew, that says “Yahweh of armies.” It speaks of an Almighty God who commands legions of holy angels ready to fight for the souls of God’s family. In Revelation, John says that he saw ten thousands upon ten thousands of these angels standing around the throne of God.
But the choir says that it is God Himself who is the fortress.
Go with me to verse 8 as we close:
[PASSAGE SLIDE]
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
The choir now invites us to come and see for ourselves all that God has done. They are testifying to His power and His grace. They say come and stand in awe of Him who holds all things in His hands.
It is He—the Almighty Creator God—who brings judgment on the earth.
It is He—the God of Gods and the Lord of Lords—who brings wars to an end.
He is the one who breaks the bow and shatters the spear.
He is the one who burns the spoils of war in the ash heap.
And the singers close by repeating the words of God Himself. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
(Beat)
He invites the listener to rest in His presence.
And He invites each of us to do the same today.
Each of us struggle in this fallen life. We all have pain and heartache. We all endure times of loss.
And sometimes it feels like we can barely keep our heads above the waves of the chaotic waters surrounding us.
But—even in the midst of chaos—God offers us rest next to still waters.
Verse 10:
[PASSAGE SLIDE]
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
He says, “Come and see all that I have done. You don’t have to do everything on your own. You can rest in what I have done.”
And what is it that God has done?
The Bible says that He loved us so much that He sent His Son to take the punishment for our sin—all so that we could be restored in relationship with Him.
(Beat)
He wasn’t willing to let us turn our backs on Him and walk away, content in our disobedience and sin. As the Good Father, He pursued us to the ends of the earth, all the while crying, “Come and see. You can find rest and peace in Me.”
Jesus came and died in our place and was resurrected as King over all of Creation. He rightfully stands as the redeemer of mankind. He has defeated sin and death for all who will come and find their rest in Him.
(Beat)
God has come to us in the person of Jesus to rescue us from the curse of sin. He offers each of us comfort and peace and freedom. And all He asks in return is your loving loyalty.
(Beat)
Will you bow to King Jesus?
Will you submit your life to Him?
Those are the questions set before you today.
(Beat)
Bill was not a perfect Father, or Grandfather. Nor was he a perfect friend or church member.
But I know that Bill loved Jesus and I know that he wanted his family to love Jesus as well.
I proclaim Jesus as King to you today.
But I am not asking you to come and follow Him because Bill did.
I simply invite you to “come and see” for yourself what He has done because of His love for you.
CLOSING PRAYER OF PEACE
[MUSIC SLIDE]
Please stand once more as we close in song.
CLOSING SONG (Old Rugged Cross)
[MAIN SLIDE]
INSTRUCTIONS
Military honors
Graveside service- Memorial Park
Reception at SHBC in Gym after
CLOSING PRAYER
