Billy Walker dies in crash

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published May 22, 2006

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FORT DEPOSIT, Ala. - 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 (May 21, 2006). He was 77.

Mr. 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.

Mr. Walker's grandson, Joshua Brooks, 21, also of Hendersonville, was in critical condition at an Alabama hospital, officials said.

The group was returning to the Nashville area.