Dr. Billy Doyle Walker, Psy.D

Billy Doyle Walker, 86, passed away on November 27, 2019 in Baytown, Texas. Born in Beaumont to parents Alvy Walker and Mary Maxine Loupe Walker, he graduated from high school in Anahuac, where he met Dorothy Jane Walker, his wife of 67 years. He won basketball and football scholarships to Southwest Texas at San Marcos, then transferred after marriage to Stephen F. Austin University, where he received a BS and MEd. At the young age of 20 he commenced his teaching career, first at Jasper High School and then LaGrange High School as a coach and English instructor.

Billy Walker moved to Baytown in 1959 to teach at Lee College for the next 36 years, first teaching Physical Education, Biology and English, and after receiving his Doctorate in Psychology, taught Psychology and Statistics. His classes were interesting but rigorous, as can be verified by his daughters who complained of his infamous pop quizzes. In 36 years he missed only 2 classes.

Billy started his real estate career by purchasing rural land just outside Baytown, building a road, water well, and subdividing into lots which he sold to other Lee College teachers, keeping some for his own use. He aptly named the road “Dozent Lane”. He continued after retirement to purchase wooded rural land with streams, creeks, ponds that his family and friends enjoyed visiting, hunting, fishing, and hiking. Dorothy and Billy ended up dividing the labor on their hunting trips. Dorothy would shoot the deer which Billy would field dress. They were a formidable team.

While at Lee College, Billy acquired many close, lifelong friends. With these friends, Billy and Dorothy enjoyed various activities including dancing, hunting, fishing, tennis, racquetball, golfing, cruises to Cozumel, and trips to New Orleans. On their last cruise a few years ago, many guests were dancing, but when it became apparent Billy and Dorothy were by far the best dancers on the floor, the other dancers stood back to observe, leaving Billy and Dorothy as the solo performers, ending with hearty applause from the crowd. Although there were dozens of cruises with friends, one especially memorable Christmas cruise included all 4 children and spouses, along with all 10 grandchildren at the time. - a family group of 20!

Billy was the designated Birthday cake buyer for the weekly meetings of the “Library Club”, alternately known as “Almost Dead Poet’s Society”, consisting of retired Lee College professors. Although their meeting place was a bar, in recent years imbibed in only coffee or soda. Although the group has dwindled over the years, they met until earlier this year.

Billy is preceded in death by his mother and father, Alvy and Maxine Walker, and daughter Trivette Walker. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy Walker; siblings, Pete and wife Shirley Walker, Carolyn Haney (Weldon Haney, deceased). Billy is also survived by his children,

Mary Walker and husband Jim Rice, Billy K. and wife Nancy Walker, Suzanne Walker Ramos and husband Rodney Ramos, Gail and husband Doug Hancock; grandchildren and spouses:

Ellie Barrett (Ember Barrett), Daniel Walker-Rice, Douglas Walker-Rice (Michelle Walker-Rice) Marilynn Suzette Pyatigorets (Andre Pyatigorets), Sarah Walker, Beau Walker, Ryland Ramos, Kacie Ramos, Mason Hancock (Alexis Hancock), Austin Hancock, Logan Hancock, Jaycob Hancock, Devon Hancock, Zoey Hancock, Zayne Hancock; great-grandchildren, Nikolai Pyatigorets, Liam Hancock (due January 2020) and a plethora of nieces and nephews.

Billy Walker was a man of integrity and a beloved husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, and educator. We will miss him.