Friday, December 14, 2018
Tribute to a Mentor by Dr. Thomas R. Clothier
Thursday morning, December 13, This morning I received word that my pastor, friend and colleague in ministry, Rev. William C. “Billy” Walker had physically died and gone home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. I make the distinction that Billy only physically died due to the fact that years earlier on an Easter Sunday morning at the Springwells Avenue Baptist Church he spiritually passed from death to life by receiving Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. At this moment in heaven, Billy is now more alive than he has ever been for he is in the presence of the one, true and holy God.
I first met this man, not coincidentally but providentially, on another Easter Sunday. It was 1974 and I was invited by a friend and co-worker, who would later become my wife, to a Sunday evening worship service at Calvary Baptist Church of Southgate, MI. The adult church choir presented that evening an
Easter Cantata entitled Easter Song by John. W. Peterson.
I was introduced to an evangelical Christian culture that evening of which I knew very little. I was particularly enthralled with, at that time, the contemporary sounding music featuring lyrics praising God and communicating the story of the person and work of Jesus Christ. My religious background was Lutheran, wherein church music was exclusively hymns with a resounding and solitary organ accompaniment.
However, what really impacted me that evening was a larger than life individual who preached the gospel of Jesus Christ following the choir’s musical presentation. Even though Billy was a pastor, he did not wear the familiar religious vestments the ministers I had known wore. On the contrary, he wore a bright lime green plaid sport coat. He was a powerful personality.
He also preached differently than what I was accustomed to hearing. He didn’t communicate to the congregation that religion was about being a good moral person but rather that we were all sinners in need of a Savior: Jesus Christ. It was the first of many Sunday evenings in which I heard the gospel.
It was on just another Sunday evening in October, 1974 in which Billy said in the midst of his message, “If you were to die tonight, where would you spend eternity: heaven or hell?” It was on that night that the Holy Spirit quickened and regenerated my soul and I was born again and received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Billy soon baptized me on October 31, of that year. Yes, Halloween night. It was a Wednesday. Little did I realize how much an impact the Lord would make upon my life through this one man.
Billy and I ate together, laughed together, served the Lord together and spent many days discussing the ministry, doctrine, along with the status of the evangelical church.
He passed on to me a love for good books and good authors. An example was Christmas 2017. I received a gift in the mail. It was from Billy. It was a book entitled Christmas Movie Trivia. He told me he thought of me when he saw it and knew I would enjoy it. How right he was.
Billy would officiate Diana’s and my wedding. He counseled and encouraged me when I approached Him that I sensed God’s call into full-time ministry. He moderated my ordination into the gospel ministry. He would remain a continual source of encouragement and wisdom: whether I and my family were in Downriver Detroit, West Michigan or Northeast Indiana. We lost touch over the years but reconnected in person and by phone conversations some 18 months ago.
A particular delight was this past July when Diana and I spent a week at Hiawatha Youth Camp where I had the opportunity to preach and also to teach at the Piatt Lake Bible Conference. We had a wonderful time of fellowship with many friends, but especially with Billy and Sharon. He was physically having a good week. We even joked about his unforgettable orange suit.
Of particular importance that week was when Billy and I took a trip to the Trout Lake Post Office one afternoon. We discussed the ministry and his health but primarily we just enjoyed spending the time together: a mentor with one of his protégés. Both of us a little older, a little wiser and a little closer to God’s call to come home.
The last time I saw Billy was when I visited him at a rehabilitation center last August, shortly before Labor Day. I surprised both he and Sharon and they both were genuinely happy to see me. We visited for a short while before I prayed for them both, as they had most certainly prayed for me over the years.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
This particular text of Scripture is often referred to as the Apostle Paul’s epitaph. It certainly applies to Billy. It is particularly interesting to note that Paul wrote this letter to his young protégé Timothy. How fitting because Billy was a mentor to so many young protégés.
A mentor is one who counsels, guides, teaches, supports, and advises his students or pupils. Billy was that and more to me and others. He was a dear friend, a brother in Christ and a fellow minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was also an example of the type of father I wanted to be as I watched him with Billy and Craig.
I Corinthians 4:1 says, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”
Billy was a faithful man who belonged to God and who faithfully served the God to whom he belonged. I loved him, I will miss him but I will certainly see him again when God calls me home.
My prayers are extended to Sharon, along with Billy, Craig and their families. May the Lord comfort them all during this time of joy and sorrow.
Soli deo Gloria!
