Opry Member Charlie Walker Dies At 81

INPUT { behavior: url(http://countryhound.com/FCKeditor/editor/css/behaviors/hiddenfield.htc) ; }INPUT,TEXTAREA,SELECT,.FCK__Anchor,.FCK__PageBreak { behavior: url(http://countryhound.com/FCKeditor/editor/css/behaviors/disablehandles.htc) ; }TABLE { behavior: url(http://countryhound.com/FCKeditor/editor/css/behaviors/showtableborders.htc) ; } Grand Ole Opry member and Country star Charlie Walker passed away Friday, Sept. 12, in Hendersonville, Tenn., after a long struggle with colon cancer. He was 81. Walker had a long lasting career in Country Music beginning as a Texas high school student and then as a part of Armed Forces Radio Network in the Eight Army Signal Corps occupation in Tokyo playing Country Music for World War II troops. When Walker returned from his tour of duty he became a San Antonio DJ and rose to be one of the Top 10 DJs in the nation. He also had a successful recording career, scoring local and national hits. In 1958 he was certified gold on Columbia records with Pick Me Up On Your Way Down. In 1967 he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and in 1981 was also inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame. Grand Ole Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher said this weekend's Opry events will be dedicated to Walker, and that he is a dearly missed member of the Opry family. Walker is survived by wife Connie and 10 children, 15 grandchildren, 3 step-children and 1 great-grandchild. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.