William "Bill" James Walker

William “Bill” James Walker, the son of Marion “Spike” and Margery (Jayne)
Walker, was born August 9, 1955 in Atlantic, Iowa and died January 10, 2022,
following a brief illness, at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa at the age
of 66, 5 months, and 1 day.

A farm boy from birth, Bill and his siblings spent much of their childhood helping
Spike and Margery raise livestock and farm corn and beans on the Walker family farm.
The family had cattle, hogs, horses, and many beloved housepets throughout the years.
Bill and his brother Joe eventually took over operations on the farm and had many
successful years and would remain on the farm his entire life.

Bill graduated from Iowa State University in 1977 and remained a die-hard Cyclone
fan. From attending tailgates, throwing game day parties, to even listening to the game
in the combine. When the Cyclones won, Bill always celebrated with a nice cigar.
Some seasons resulted in less celebratory cigars than others, but Bill was a proud and
loyal fan to the end. Apart from his beloved Cyclones, Bill was a huge fan of the
Kansas City Chiefs and Royals attending many games over the years.

Bill met the love of his life in Atlantic, Iowa at the home of a mutual friend. Rhonda
was immediately interested in Bill because he was “so handsome and sexy.” They were
united in marriage on February 18, 1989 at the Chestnut Charm Bed and Breakfast in
Atlantic, Iowa. Bill and Rhonda remained madly in love throughout their 32 years of
marriage. He was Rhonda’s lover, travel companion, and best friend until the day he
died.

Bill and Rhonda always had a big garden. They spent many days canning tomatoes
and salsa for the winter months. You had to be careful with Bill’s salsa, as you never
knew how many peppers he put in. Despite his claims that his salsa wasn’t spicy, it
could make a grown man cry.

Bill and Rhonda were blessed with three children: Clint James, Alec William, and
Rachel Ellen Walker. Partial to being near water (only if his feet could touch), Bill and
his family traveled to Florida and Okoboji for many vacations throughout the years,
loving the warm weather and beaches. When they weren’t traveling, Bill loved to spend
summer afternoons in his swimming pool. He taught all of his children, nieces, and
nephews the proper way to enjoy the sun: with a thick layer of baby oil, a good pool
lounge, an ice cold beer and some classic rock playing in the background from his huge
collection.

Being an American farmer was Bill’s passion in life. Rhonda knew that she came
second, but she was a proud farmwife and was always there to take care of him while
he worked hard to feed the world. Bill was proud to pass his love of farming to his
eldest son Clint and worked side-by-side with him, his brother Joe, and occasionally his
nephew Joe Jr. on the Walker farm.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Marion “Spike” and Margery Walker, and
his cousin Jayne Heinrich.

Bill is survived by his wife, Rhonda Walker; children, Clint James, Alec William
and Rachel Ellen Walker; father-in-law Ronald King; mother-in-law Janet King; his
siblings John Walker, Sarah (Eric) Gross, Joe (Denise) Walker; his brother-in-law Mike
(Susie) King, and sister-in-law Karen King-Fitzgerald (Bill); nephews, Joey (Karly)
Walker, Corey (Poev) King, Dylan (Shelby) Book; nieces, Emma (Alex) Bireline, Ann
(Austin) Williams, Nora Walker, Rebecca (Simo) Starcevich, Christine Gross, Aryn
Book; cousin; Molly (Andrew) Bjork; 4 great nephews; 5 great nieces; and many
cherished friends.