Rev. William R. “Fr. Bill” Walker
Rev. William R. “Fr. Bill” Walker, 86, of Hawk Run, died Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Heritage Ridge Senior Living at Windy Hill, (North) Philipsburg.
He was born on March 12, 1939, in Hawk Run, a son of the late Raymond W. and Sarah (Moffatt) Walker.
He was a 1957 graduate of the former Morris Township High School and a 1961 graduate of Lock Haven University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. He received his Master of Education degree in Education Administration from the Pennsylvania State University in 1965.
He was married on November 24, 1974, at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Hawk Run, to the former Alice M. Hilderbrand. Alice preceded him in death on November 16, 2014.
Toward the end of his teaching career, he had a calling for a second vocation in life. He received his Certificate of Completion with the Harrisburg School for Christian Studies with the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania for the Episcopal Deaconate. He was ordained as an Episcopal Deacon in 1996. He continued to follow his calling to the religious life and was ordained as a Priest of the Episcopal Church in 2002. He served as the Vicar of the former St. Laurence Church in Osceola Mills from 2000-2007 and was assigned as the Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Philipsburg from 2007 until 2015. He returned to St. Laurence and served as their Priest-in-Charge until his retirement in 2023.
He was a member of a number of local organizations including: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Philipsburg, the B.P.O. Elks Lodge & Country Club, #1173, Philipsburg, the Philipsburg Kiwanis Club, the Osceola Lodge #515, F.&A.M., Osceola Mills, a member and Past-Master of the former Moshannon Lodge #391, Philipsburg, (that has since merged with the Osceola Lodge), the Clearfield Shrine Club Oriental Band and the Jaffa Temple, Altoona.
He was preceded in death by a brother, James Walker, in addition to his parents and wife, Alice.
He is survived by a son, Dr. Charles William Walker and his wife. Dr. Susan (Krzysik) Walker, of Baldwin, Maryland; two grandchildren, Christopher and Grace Walker, both of Baldwin, Maryland; and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family members.
The family will receive guests on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 5 to 8 pm, at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce Street, Philipsburg; and on Saturday, from 10 to 10:30 am at the funeral home.
A Masonic Memorial Service will be held on Friday at 7:30 pm at the funeral home.
A service celebrating the life of “Fr. Bill” will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 11am, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 406 Presqueisle Street, Philipsburg, with The Rt. Rev. Dr. Audrey C. Scanlan, Bishop of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, presiding and Rev. Eileen Weglarz, Pastor of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Burial will be in Ashcroft Cemetery, Hawk Run.
Memorial contributions may be made in Fr. Bill’s memory to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 170, Philipsburg, Pa. 16866.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at http://www.beezerheathfh.com
