The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-03-05
A Brief Sketch Of W. A. Walker.


BY W. A. McTEER.
William Anderson Walker was
born in Blount county, February
9th, 1923. His first marriage was
with Miss Eliza W. Wright, by
whom was born one daughter, who
is now the wife of John M. Boyd,
of this place. The first wife having
died Mr.. Walker married Miss
Mary Sloan, who now survives
him. BY this union there were
born three daughters and one son.
Two of the daughters are at home
with their mother, another is the
wife of Rev. d. A. Heron residing
in Knox county, while the son is in
California where he has been for
several years.
Mr.. Walker was elected Clerk of
Circuit Court in 1S4S which position
he held fourteen years, when he
was appointed Clerk and Master Of
the Chancery Court. He was ex-
ceedingly popular and held his pop
ularity for longer period Of time,
perhaps, than any person in the
history Of the county. In politics
he was a Democrat yet he was
always overwhelmingly elected in
decidedly strong Wing county.
About the year 1855 he became a
member of New Providence Pre-
byterian church, and ever after
wards took deep interest in re-
ligious matters. On the re-organi-
cation of the church after the war
had closed he was chosen as Super.
intendent of the Sabbath School
which position he held for many
years, and there was universal re-
greet on the part of the church and
school when he made up his mind
to resign.
In 1866 he was elected a ruling
elder, but could not be induced to
accept the position. Some years
afterward he was again elected and
on the 18th day of February, 1872
Il wssOFdninods Az the church ser
vice, prayer meetings and Sabbath
School he was always in his place
unless hindered by sickness OF
something that was unavoidable
1t was his del ght to converse or
religious subjects, and faith was
his favorite topic. When leading
the prayer meeting he generally
selected faith in some form as tn,
. topic for consideration. He WA
exceedingly evenly tempered ant
forgiving, yet very nervous ant
! painfully sensitive. He has Offer
been heard to say that he did no
know what malice or revenge was
He was n very strong Sabbatha
Fian in his views and his practice.
While superintendent Of the Sab
bath School he almost UNIVERSAL,
= opened the school with the sam
. hymn, two stanxas of which mr.
t vary expressive of the man and hi
. religious views:
Holy sabbath, happy morning.
D Josfaily the bells No hear.
6vsetly calling, gently calling
Us to praise and prayer.
n 6weetly sounding thro' each street,
:. And floating on the quiet cir.
% Comes The dear familiar greeting,
IS Calling 10 toprayer.
Baskins in the holy radiance
10 OF this blessed Sabbath morn.
nj May the blessed angels keep us,
Till another dawn,
" And when earth's best purest love-light
J. fsdeth from our sight away,
nj May our risen Saviour take us
, To his endless day.
On Saturday the 22nd of Febrl
!. airy, 1890, Mr.. Walker was take
" sick. He soon became helpless an
:. grew weaker and weaker until Il
. afternoon of the 2Sth he sunk in
- the arms of death, and his "rise
" Savior took him to his endless day
!" He has long been a resident
~ Maryville, was well known in Il
~ ~ county, and his face will be great
'" missed.