William was the first child of daughter of Edward
Walker and his second wife, Sarah Crumley. He was
born 15 October 1850 probably at his
parents' home at Mulberry and became a leatherworker,
apparently specializing in saddles. He married about
1872 Rebecca Ann Baker, the daughter of Thomas and Lucinda
(Campbell) Baker of the Little Sycamore area where she
was probably born on 17 March 1849.
They had at least 9 children and were probably living
in his parents' home when the first of the children
were born. Sarah had moved into Tazewell with her two
younger sons, and Bill seems to have stayed in the house
at Mulberry. After his mother sold her dower rights,
which were at risk when she moved out, the couple moved
into Claiborne County.
According to a family legend told by Faye Walker Shelnutt,
Bill may have been estranged from his mother, possibly
having something to do with the estate settlement. Supposedly,
one day Bill and his family were working in the yard
when a woman in a black carriage pulled up; Bill quickly
sent his family inside and briefly talked to the woman.
Only after she left and he went inside did he tell his
family that the woman had been his mother. The story
remains questionable, especially as Rebecca grew up
near the Walkers and presumably would have known Bill's
mother.
Bill died sometime between 1900 and 1910; according
to Faye, Bill may have had a business dispute, and some
family members believe that he may have been poisoned.
The same legend has him buried in the Coleman Church
Cemetery in an unmarked grave, although again the location
has not been corroborated. Rebecca died 11 August 1916
in Hancock County and is supposedly buried in Four Mile
District there, although the location is not proven.
