James William Walker
Funeral services for James William Walker, 79, of Delhi, will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, January 12, 2023, at the Dunn Baptist Church, Dunn, with Bro. Terry Ganey and Bro. Bernard Duchesne officiating.
Interment will be in the Newton Cemetery, Dunn, under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville.
James William Walker, JW, Willie Bee, Beebee, Daddy or Bee: no matter what you knew him by, you knew the light that he will forever leave on this earth. He was the type of man you would only need to meet him once to feel the love he had in his heart. He held the true meaning of determination, hard work, compassion, love, family, community, and our Lord.
James William Walker was born on the 20th of December 1943 in Delhi, Louisiana. He was greeted at the gates of heaven by two of his favorite people, Jamie, his son and nephew Keith Walker. He passed away on January 7, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife Betty, daughter Betsy, son-in-law Jim, and sister-in-law Linda Pourciau. JW was the 9th of 11 children born to Thomas Henry Walker and Ina Mae Byrd Walker. He spent his childhood growing cotton on the family farm in Richland Parish.
He met his beloved wife, Betty Ann Brice, in late 1965. It was love at first sight. A few months after meeting they were married on March 4, 1966. On December 14, 1967, they welcomed their son James Leonard “Jamie” to the family. Their family would be complete with the birth of daughter Betsy Diana on April 29, 1970.
The family relocated to La Porte, Texas in 1971 to further his career as a welder and pipefitter. He worked at Brown and Root from 1971-1978. His big break came in 1978 when he started to work for Celanese Chemical Plant. JW had such a wonderful opportunity to hone and perfect his craft. JW was one of the top welders in the field. At the time only a few mastered the difficult weld of titanium-zirconium. He spent years sharing his knowledge and talents with anyone that needed it. Even after retiring young welders would seek to learn and study from him.
Willie Bee and Betty put Christ first in their home. Family time was a priority, period. Many hours were spent fishing with his children. Most weekends JW and Betsy would be found at the skeet club practicing for the many competitions where they would take first and second.
Willie Bee and Betty moved back home to Delhi, Louisiana where they built a forever home and started a farm. He raised countless cattle, pigs, built a garden, had a honey business, hunted, and even had a donkey at one point. And don’t forget his peaches.
He loved to volunteer at the nursing home where he was known as Mr. Peppermint. Taking peppermints and lots of hugs, go to the sale barn on Wednesdays and church on Sundays where was the greeter for many years. He never missed a chance to tell you he loved you, or just talk over a cup of black Folgers coffee. He was a gifted woodworker, singer, handyman, dominos player, friend, child of God, grandfather, father, and husband. There is no one else quite like Willie Bee. He truly is one of a kind.
He was preceded in death by his son, James Leonard Walker; brother, Delbert Walker; special nephew, Travis Keith Walker; sisters, Joyce Buchan, Mary Patty, Patsy Welch, Peggy Taylor, Polly Nivens and Jackie Sykes; brother-in-law, Jerry “Pete” Walker; and a variety of siblings, family members and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Ann Brice Walker; his daughter, Betsy Diana Walker Denmon; son in law, James Wesley Denmon; grandson, James Tyler Denmon; and his only granddaughter, Brianna Jane Denmon; grandsons, James Howard Walker and John Christian Walker; sister-in-law, JoAnn Walker; brother, Tommy Walker and sister-in-law, Karen Walker; sister, Lucille Walker; and sister, Linda Walker Hill; and brother-in-law, Floyd Hill.
First grandson Tyler spent countless days learning from BeeBee about woodworking, metal forging, farming, hunting, welding and tons of rounds shooting and learning how to shoot.
The one and only granddaughter, Brianna, loved spending the spring and summertime with BeeBee in the garden planting new vegetables and learning how to grow her own food. They spent many hours tending to the bee farm as well, her love of honey and nature really connected them together.
Pallbearers will be lifelong friend, Joe Kyte, nephew, TJ Walker, nephew, Edwin Walker, Randy Fryer, Larry Garley and Michael Bolton.
Honorary pallbearers will be Joel Barton, John David Edmiston Jr., Jim Nickles, Floyd Hill, Pat Forman and Pete Jinks.
Visitation will be 6–8 p.m., Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Dunn Baptist Church, Dunn.
Special thanks to Crossroads Hospice. Thank you, Rene Jackson, Yolanda Bishop and Monica Odom, our special angels.
Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.