Elder William J. Walker William T. Pipkin Elder Bill Caraway
ELDER WILLIAM JOSEPH [BILLY] WALKER
We, the Beulah Primitive Baptist Church of Saltillo, MS, are saddened by the passing away of our pastor, Elder Billy Walker.
Brother Walker was born October 11, 1929 in Memphis, TN, a few weeks before the stock market crash of 1929. The third child of 14 children of Clarence Ivan Walker, born May 7, 1896 in Clifton TN and Edna Mae Moak Walker, born August 20, 1909 in Brookhaven, MS.
Brother Walker served in the United State's Navy Seabee's during the Korean War on Adak, Alaska. It was here that he realized that he was a poor wretched sinner in need of a Savior. Relief came months later after Jesus revealed to him Christ's righteousness had been transferred to him and he was free. Brother Walker was baptized by Elder Commodore Brann at Union City, TN in 1950.
Brother Walker married Marrian Grace Beaver on September 22, 1951 at Madera, California by Elder Amos Deskin. They have three children and three grandchildren to grace their lives.
Elder Walker preached Primitive Baptist for over 40 years, beginning to exercise at the First Primitive Baptist Church in Dallas, TX, and was ordained there during the Chamber's Creek Association on July 6, 1963. Grace has been Brother Walker's theme since accepting the Lord's calling and his desire was to die with the good people called Primitive Baptist. He preached his final sermon at Beulah Primitive Baptist Church at Saltillo, MS on January 23, 2000.
Brother Walker passed away on January 25, 2000 in the pick-up on his way to an appointment with a heart doctor at the V. A. Hospital in Marion, IL. His wife of 48 years was driving. She thought he had dozed off to sleep, and he had, to be forever with our Lord.
He is survived by his wife, Marrian Grace Beaver Walker, two sons, William D. Walker and Joseph L. Walker of Dallas, TX; one daughter, Cheral Ruth Whipple of Union City, TN. and three grandchildren; also six brothers and four sisters.
Since Brother Walker's [passing, his brother, Elder Charles Walker has passed away, six weeks and four days after his passing, March 11, 2000.
Editor's Note: Elder Billy Walker was a staunch supporter of the Banner of Love and we will miss his correspondence and the encouragement that he gave us.
May God be with his family.
William Travis Pipkin was born on October 25, 1906 in Gonzales, Texas and passed from this life on July 27, 1999, being 92 years of age. He had been at the Hacienda Health Care and Rehabilitation Service in Hanford,CA since July 1, 1999.
Travis was one of ten children, six brothers and three sisters. As a younger man, he and his family moved from Texas to Okanoga, WA and there he met and married Beulah James on August 27, 1927. They had been married 72 years. To this union was born two sons, Travis James and Jesse Williams, who have both preceded him in death; and two daughters, Juanita Sanders of Caruthers, CA and Thelma Morrison of Madera, CA. He had 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Travis was a quiet humble and soft-spoken man, who loved his Lord, loved going to Church and being around his family and friends.
He was a farm laborer. As a younger man he operated big caterpillars, clearing and leveling land; and also was fire fighter for the U. S. Army at Blythe, CA. Farming is what he loved doing, tilling the ground, watching his garden grow and in the quietness, talking and praying to his Lord.
Travis leaves his family and friends to mourn his passing. He touched many lives and hearts and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. We know he is basking in glory with his Savior.
We, the Walnut Valley Primitive Baptist Church, bow in humble submission to the will of our Heavenly Father, Elder Bill Caraway, our beloved Pastor was called home to be with our Lord on April 23, 2000.
He was born January 28, 1931, making his stay on earth a little over 69 years. He married Emogene Startz on August 24, 1951. To this union was born four children. Brother Bill was baptized Easter Sunday 1960 and passed from this life Easter Sunday at sunrise in the year 2000.
He served the church with compassion, faith, wisdom and truth. Standing always for the old paths as taught in the scriptures. First at the Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church where he was charged with the office of deacon in 1977. He was ordained to the gospel ministry on July 12, 1980. He had the privilege to travel among many churches throughout the Continental United States and preach the gospel to many of God's children.
During his 20 years as an ordained minister, he pastored several churches in Oklahoma and Texas. Among them were the churches in Wichita Falls, Texas, and Zion's Rest Church in McAlester, Oklahoma. He was pastoring the Walnut Valley Church in Blanchard, Oklahoma and the Bethel Church in Ada, Oklahoma at the time of his death.
Diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis in the fall of 1997, he managed the illness with amazing fortitude. With grace and strength from God he only missed one Sunday as the shortness of breath and coughing seemed to all but disappear while preaching, always finishing with "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
He is survived by his lovely wife, Jean and their children: Sandra Brandon and her husband Daryl, David Caraway and his wife, Becky, Timothy Caraway and Esther, Michael Caraway and his wife, Pam; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and one on the way; two sisters; two brothers and numerous relatives and beloved church brethren.
Brother Bill counted the single most amazing event of his life to be his opportunity to rejoice in the finished work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and to sing his praises in the form of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Master. We will all miss our beloved Pastor and teacher.