Passing of Bill Walker, St. Albans Organ Museum
By Ken Slow
-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMD --
Sadly, I report that Mr. Bill Walker, Trustee and founding chairman of
the St. Albans Musical Museum Society (SAMMS), has recently died after
a long illness.
During his 25 years as chairman Bill gave a tremendous amount of his
time to the Society and oversaw the installations of the Wurlitzer and
Spurden-Rutt theatre pipe organs. Bill operated his own organ business
from his St. Albans home where he built and modified electronic organs
and also maintained several pipe organ installations in Churches and
even prisons.
Bill was also a good sound engineer and has produced professional
recordings of many top theatre organists over the years as well as
countless recordings of mechanical dance and fairground organs. Due
to failing health, Bill relinquished his post as Chairman earlier this
year to Mr. Keith Pinner but still attended the Museum when felt well
enough to do so.
His funeral service was held at the Museum on the afternoon of August
1st., before his burial in Scotland. Bill leaves three sisters and
two brothers.
Ken Slow
St. Albans Musical Museum Society (SAMMS), UK
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(Message sent Wed 13 Aug 2003, 04:42:09 GMT, from time zone GMT+0100.) |
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