William P. (Bill) Walker
12/30/1934 – 05/10/2025
William P. (Bill) Walker died May 10, 2025, at his home on Lake Martin.
Bill had two great joys: family and community.
Born in Birmingham, he grew up in Oneonta, AL and then Uniontown. He graduated from the University of Alabama then entered the banking profession at First National Bank of Birmingham then First National Bank in Tuscaloosa. He was president of two banks, City National Bank in Dothan and Auburn National Bank.
He described himself as a “country banker” because he took great satisfaction in a local bank that was closely involved with the community needs, recruiting industry, initiating Dothan’s first art gallery, and even playing major roles in Dothan’s community theatre. The result was a newspaper headline,” Every Town Needs a Bill Walker”, and being named Man of the Year by Dothan.
Then, what greater tribute to his banking reputation than a University of Alabama graduate recruited to be president of Auburn National Bank. Again, community involvement caused him to be the only person to have been PA announcer for both Alabama and Auburn sports.
He contributed to his industry as faculty member, School of Banking of the South and founding Director of Alabama Banking School.
After retiring from banking, he joined Synergistic Consulting, teaching management skills to many groups including factions of Boston’s Big Dig.
Later, after years of family houseboating, he donned a captain’s uniform and, with Joanne, (his wife of 67 years) cruised thousands of miles including what boaters call The Great Loop
Music was a joyful part of his life, playing cornet in a number of traditional jazz bands through the years. His musical children carry on his legacy.
His appreciation of family wound throughout his life, spanning generations from grandparents to his own great grandchildren, including cousins he cherished as siblings. He is survived by his wife Joanne Cunningham Walker, four children, Beth Wooten (Harry), Margaret Gibson (Andy), Pat Figura (Andy), and Rutland Walker (Susan), 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
His imagination, joy of life, and sense of humor leave his family and friends with many happy memories.
The family will gather privately for a celebration of his life.