Conversation so far:
Why did Bert Williams start a solo career?
George Walker, the businessman and public spokesman for the duo for 16 years, was in ill health and died. Bart Williams needed to reestablish himself as a solo act.
Did George Walker, Bert Williams' professional partner, die?
George Walker had syphilis and suffered a stroke onstage in January 1909. He and Bert Williams never performed in public again, and Walker died less than two years later.

Question: How did that affect Bert?
Self-contained rewrite: How did George Walker's death affect Bert Williams?