William Walker Bethune

William Walker Bethune passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 with his parents at his side. In his 17 years on this earth, Walker accomplished more than most will ever do in 85. He was often referred to as an “old soul with a youthful spirit.” He led a deep life full of kindness, compassion, and wisdom, doing all he could to serve and lead others. We know he will continue to accomplish great deeds and lead others from Heaven at the side of Jesus. Walker loved God, and our Nation, deeply. His breadth of knowledge and respect for history and democracy gave him a unique perspective on how to make this world a better place. Walker’s kindness, humility, persistence, hard-work ethic, discipline, and pursuit of excellence in uniting people, fostering friendships, leading his peers, athletic performance, musical talents, and especially his gifted brain, were a gift to all who met him. Walker will forever be the best big brother a guy could ever have, guiding, supporting, and loving Alex in school, athletics, and life. “BeBo” will always be Alex’s mentor, best friend, and guardian angel.

Walker is a rising Senior in the class of 2022. He is a Varsity Letterman on the Cross Country, Track, and Clay Target Shooting Teams. He is ranked 9th in the Region in Cross Country, his 800-meter relay team broke the school record during the GHSA State Track Finals in May, he is a Top 3 shooter on the Sporting Clays Team, and Founder and President of the Cornhole Club. Walker is a mostly self-taught, accomplished guitar player, who filled our home, every day, without fail, with the beautiful sounds of Southern Rock and Blues, as well as his infectious laugh. Walker served as class President for 3 years and is the current Student Body President. One of his most proud moments was the honor to place a ceremonial wreath on President George Washington’s Tomb at Mount Vernon. He is a Georgia Governor’s Honors Program Finalist alternate in Engineering and Mechanical Design. He is a University of Georgia Scholar, Wofford Scholar, and Presbyterian College Scholar, ranking in the Top 5% of the Class of 2022. He received the prestigious Josephine Barker Lamb Memorial Scholarship Award in May for his leadership, character, academic performance, and love for his school and peers. He is the Team Lead in Stratford’s Design Program, including working on a prosthetic hand project which placed 2nd in Project Invent (an International STEM innovation competition powered by MIT and Stanford) designed to assist neuropathy patients obtain a better, safer quality of life. He currently has a 4.22 GPA with High Honors, and recently scored a 1490 on his SAT, as well as 5’s on his AP English and AP US History exams. As we explored college opportunities, his ultimate goal was to become a physician to help others heal. For this reason, Walker’s act of organ donation is so important, healing others through his continued servant leadership and desire to make life better for others; with his own body, he is making others whole.

Walker played and loved Vine Ingle Little League from t-ball to senior league, becoming a prestigious Mike Weaver Award Nominee. Thank you, George Jones, for your lessons in cornbread and cake; Walker is, without a doubt, a cornbread eater. In his former years, he found great joy in serving the league with the reputation as a fair and hard-rules umpire. Walker was following in his father’s footsteps with his love of the outdoors. Walker is a member of Northway Church.

Walker was born in Macon, Georgia, and is survived by his Father (David), Mother (Stacy), and Brother (Alex) Bethune, Grandparents (Nancy and Bill Bethune and Cheryl and Craig Walker), Uncle Jamie (Courtney) Walker, and Cousins (Madison and Madalyn) Walker, and a tremendous village of friends, extended family, and community. Walker we LOVE YOU.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 3:00pm, at Ingleside Baptist Church, 834 Wimbish Road, Macon, Georgia, 31210. Our family will visit with friends during the concert celebration “Let Your Soulshine For Walker” hosted by Stratford Academy, Monday, August 16, 2021, at 8:00pm, 6010 Peake Road, Macon, Georgia, 31220. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Walker Bethune Scholarship Fund. You may do so by visiting the Project Giving website at www.projectgiving.net, or calling/mailing Stratford Academy at (478)477-8073, 6010 Peake Road, Macon, Georgia 31220.

The service will be livestreamed on the facebook page of Hart's Mortuary.