William J. Walker

William 'Bill' Walker age 82 passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025 at home with family at his side. Bill was born to William A. and Edith Walker in Niagara Falls on June 14, 1943. Bill and Edith's parents had immigrated from England and Wales to become coal miners near Scranton.
Living in Niagara Falls, Bill spent summers in Scranton riding the famous Phobe snow train through Corning. Years later he accepted a teaching position at Painted Post School. Bill then taught at East High where he coached and was Building Athletic manager.
Bill had received his BS from Murray State in 1966 and later his MS from the University of Kentucky. He met his wife at Murray State and they were married for 64 years.
Bill leaves behind his wife, Jean. He is also survived by daughters: Elizabeth (Fred) Heidrich, Amy (Mike) Sanz; and young adult grandchildren: Fred Heidrich, Reagan, Riley and Devin Sanz. Bill is also survived by nieces: Robin (Ken) Stanka and Tracy (Chris) Canniff, and their children. Bill's brother Donald and wife Linda predeceased him.
Bill enjoyed coaching for 44 years. He spent 12 years coaching football at the high school level including an 8-year period as head coach at East High School (1974-1982). His 1976 team went undefeated and he was chosen as Area Coach of the Year. In 1997 Bill was elected to the Corning-Painted Post Sports Hall of Fame for Contributor-Football. In 1982 Bill jumped from high school to college football at Mansfield University as offensive coordinator. At Mansfield, Bill helped produce three NCAA Division II All-Americans and broke all of the MU offensive records. Upon retiring from East High in 1998, he left Mansfield to coach at Maryville College in Tennessee (1998-2002) part time. At age 60, he began a 10-year position with Sprint (light weight) football at Cornell University. Most of those years he was offensive coordinator. The team won a national championship in 2006. He treasured his time teaching and coaching and worked hard to develop character in his athletes.
Bill was a devoted grandparent and split his time between New York and Tennessee to spend time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed golf with Fred and his golf buddies at Willowcreek and working out at the YMCA. He and Jean enjoyed traveling to locations in the states in their 27-year retirement.
Bill volunteered at Meals on Wheels and the Painted Post Food Pantry.
A memorial service is planned for a later date. Carpenter's Funeral Home, 14 E. Pulteney St., Corning has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in Bill's name may send them to the: Painted Post Food Pantry, 201 N. Hamilton St., Painted Post, NY 14870 or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4550 Montgomery Ave., Suite 1100, N. Bethesda, MD 20814.