Ala. May 21, 2006 (AP)— Billy Walker, the Grand Ole Opry legend
whose hits included "Charlie's Shoes" and "Cross the Brazos at
Waco," died in a wreck along an Alabama interstate on Sunday. He was
77 Walker was killed along with his wife and two of his band members
when a van they were riding in ran off Interstate 65 south of
Montgomery and overturned, state troopers said. Killed in the wreck
were Bettie Walker, 61; and Charles Lilly Jr. 44, both of
Hendersonville, Tenn., and Daniel Patton Sr., 40, of Hermitage,
Tenn. Walker's grandson, Joshua Brooks, 21, also of Hendersonville,
was injured in the accident. He remains in critical condition at an
Alabama hospital, officials said .The group was on their way back to
the Nashville area after performing at a show near Gulf Shores,
according to Tom Bowers, manager of the Hendersonville Funeral
Home.Bowers said family members have contacted the funeral home,
which will be conducting services for the Walkers .According to the
Opry's Web site, Billy Walker was born in Ralls, Texas, and built an
early career as the "Traveling Texan, the Masked Singer of Country
Songs" and later shared the stage with Elvis Presley.Walker joined
the Grand Ole Opry in 1960 and was known as one of the show's most
outgoing and personable performers.

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