Bill Walker Memorial Track & Field Scholarship
This scholarship is given in memory of long-serving High School Principal Bill Walker, who passed away in May, 2023. Applicants must have participated in the MHS Track & Field program, have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 or above, and have a letter of recommendation from their respective Track Coach. Recipient does not need to pursue athletics in college, and may be interested in any field of study. Additional preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated good citizenship. The Marshfield Public Schools Foundation administers the $2,000 award, which is paid in two installments of $1,000 after completion of the first and second semesters upon verification of student's full-time enrollment and GPA of 2.5 or above. The scholarship is non-renewable.
Bill V. Walker, Marshfield, was born October 29, 1934, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Howard and Hazel (Bone) Walker. He departed this life on May 8, 2023, at Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, at the age of 88.
Bill graduated from West Plains High School where he was a proud Zizzer. He was an outstanding athlete in football and track, receiving many awards. After high school, he served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict era. During his two-year enlistment in Germany, Bill worked in a top-secret atomic weapons division. After serving in the Army, he attended SMSU (now MSU) where he played football and received his Bachelors in Education. He eventually went on to get his Masters in Education from Drury.
While he was in college, he was reintroduced to a former West Plains graduate (one of the few he hadn't dated) and they went on their first date. She (Jo) went home and told her roommate that she was going to marry him. A year later, they married and in July 2023 would have been married 65 years. During the early time of their marriage, they welcomed 4 children into their family; Beth, Tim, Julie, and Andy.
In 1970, Bill became the principal of Marshfield High School where he served for 21 years. During his time as principal at Marshfield, he acquired his nickname – Billie Badger, which he embraced to the fullest. He is now showing his Bluejay pride by doing cartwheels in heaven, just as he did while supporting his favorite Bluejays. He loved visiting with his former students and many of them still refer to him as "Mr. Walker," stating that they simply couldn't call him "Bill."
Bill was a long-term member of the Marshfield Christian Church, where he served as a youth leader, a Sunday School teacher, an elder, and finally as an Elder Emeritus. He was an active member of the Marshfield Rotary Club, including serving as president. He also worked with the Silver Hair Legislature, alongside Jo.
Bill always enjoyed his time fishing and hunting with his special friends like Mike and Rob Ahrens, as well as chatting over cups of coffee with his favorite morning coffee group.
After retirement, he was a reading buddy to students at Hubble Elementary. He also took great joy competing in athletic events such as the Highland Games and the Senior Games. Bill was proud to receive many awards, including placing 2nd in the nation in the shot put and discus.
Bill V. Walker, Marshfield, was born October 29, 1934, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Howard and Hazel (Bone) Walker. He departed this life on May 8, 2023, at Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, at the age of 88.
Bill graduated from West Plains High School where he was a proud Zizzer. He was an outstanding athlete in football and track, receiving many awards. After high school, he served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict era. During his two-year enlistment in Germany, Bill worked in a top-secret atomic weapons division. After serving in the Army, he attended SMSU (now MSU) where he played football and received his Bachelors in Education. He eventually went on to get his Masters in Education from Drury.
While he was in college, he was reintroduced to a former West Plains graduate (one of the few he hadn't dated) and they went on their first date. She (Jo) went home and told her roommate that she was going to marry him. A year later, they married and in July 2023 would have been married 65 years. During the early time of their marriage, they welcomed 4 children into their family; Beth, Tim, Julie, and Andy.
In 1970, Bill became the principal of Marshfield High School where he served for 21 years. During his time as principal at Marshfield, he acquired his nickname – Billie Badger, which he embraced to the fullest. He is now showing his Bluejay pride by doing cartwheels in heaven, just as he did while supporting his favorite Bluejays. He loved visiting with his former students and many of them still refer to him as "Mr. Walker," stating that they simply couldn't call him "Bill."
Bill was a long-term member of the Marshfield Christian Church, where he served as a youth leader, a Sunday School teacher, an elder, and finally as an Elder Emeritus. He was an active member of the Marshfield Rotary Club, including serving as president. He also worked with the Silver Hair Legislature, alongside Jo.
Bill always enjoyed his time fishing and hunting with his special friends like Mike and Rob Ahrens, as well as chatting over cups of coffee with his favorite morning coffee group.
After retirement, he was a reading buddy to students at Hubble Elementary. He also took great joy competing in athletic events such as the Highland Games and the Senior Games. Bill was proud to receive many awards, including placing 2nd in the nation in the shot put and discus.