Billy Walker, 77; Grand Ole Opry Singer Killed With 3 Others in Crash

Billy Walker, 77, the long-time Grand Ole Opry singer whose hits included “Charlie’s Shoes” and “Cross the Brazos at Waco,” died Sunday in a crash in Alabama.

Walker was killed along with his wife, Betty, and two band members when a van they were riding in ran off Interstate 65 south of Montgomery and overturned, state troopers said.

Also dead were Charles Lilly Jr., 44, of Hendersonville, Tenn., and Daniel Patton Sr., 40, of Hermitage, Tenn.

Walker’s grandson Joshua Brooks, 21, was injured and was listed in critical condition, officials said.

The country music band was on its way back to the Nashville area after performing near Gulf Shores, Ala., said Tom Bowers, manager of the Hendersonville Funeral Home.

According to the Opry’s website, 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.