Funeral services for Mr. Billy Ray Walker, 80 of Avinger will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday January 14, 2012 in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday in Keithville Cemetery in Keithville, Louisiana. The family will have visitation at the funeral home from 10-11 a.m., Saturday prior to the service. Billy Ray Walker was a kind, loving man who lived a robust and full life until the ravages of Parkinson's disease caused him to have to be in the Linden Healthcare Center, where he died on January 09, 2012. He was born September 03, 1931 to William and Ethel Davis Walker in Shreveport, Louisiana. Billy was a graduate of Northwestern State , holding a bachelors and masters degree in education as well as a graduate of Mississippi State in Hattiesburg. He was a proud member of the Class of 49 of Fair Park High School. He loved football and country music. He also served in the United States Air Force. Billy is fondly remembered by colleagues and students as a gifted teacher in Caddo Parrish Schools and Marshall ISD. Billy Ray was a cowboy whose lifelong love and expertise was evidenced by the many areas in which he won buckles, saddles, and other awards from rodeo events and cutting horse competitions. He is survived by his wife, Anita of Avinger; children, Karla and husband Bubba Smith of Greenwood, LA, Lee and husband Cliff Merrill of Gilbert, AZ, Jeanie and husband Kevin Kenneally of Chicago, ILL, Patty and husband Steven Bogard of Avinger and Sylvia and husband Kevin Hurd of Shreveport; grandchildren, Casey, Billy, and Jay Henslee, Matt Hughes, Garrett, Logan, and Jacob Merrill, and Laura and Caroline Hurd.