Devoted couple die on same day
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For 68 years, Bill and Eldrid Walker of Edgerton did everything together. On Sept. 23, the couple died within 20 hours of each other.
EDGERTON — They did everything together: raised three children, worked the family business, gardened and traveled.
In the end, after 68 years of marriage, Bill and Eldrid Walker died together—within 20 hours of each other and on the same day—even though they were in separate facilities and Eldrid hadn't seen her beloved husband since a stroke a week prior.
Bill would have turned 90 on Saturday, the day the couple was buried. Eldrid was 91.
But Bill had faithfully visited the love of his life twice a day for six years after she was admitted to a care facility. He told his son Mark that putting his wife there and knowing she was probably not coming home was the hardest thing he ever had to do.
Mark, 50, the couple's youngest son, said his parents were inseparable.
"Everybody commented on it. Other than Dad at the service station, you never saw Bill and Eldrid apart. They were seen together all over."
Eldrid was a beauty and caught Bill's eye as he pumped gas in a downtown station and she cared for her young charges as a nanny.
"They never really talked about anybody else they dated," Mark said.
Bill worked many hours at the business he owned, Walker's Friendly Service station in Edgerton. Eldrid kept the books. They gardened together and traveled together.
Mark described their relationship as loving and respectful.
"You'd never seen them fight, but when she was irritated with him, it was, 'William Henry,'" Mark recalled with a smile.
About six years ago, Bill couldn't cover for his wife anymore. She was later diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
"He had been taking care of her and probably hiding it a little bit from us," Mark said.
Bill visited Eldrid three times a day until the care facility staff complained he got in the way of her therapy. So he cut his visits to twice a day.
This was despite the fact that Bill didn't like hospitals since getting wounded in World War II and spending time in a French hospital, Mark said.
Once, Mark and his brother suggested Bill needn't visit so often.
But Bill said, "Well, absolutely he did," Mark recalled. If Bill would visit in the afternoon and Eldrid was sleeping, he'd simply sit and watch TV or talk to her roommate, waiting for his wife to wake.
Eldrid continued to slip, but she almost always knew her husband.
On Sept. 16, Bill suffered a stroke and was admitted to the veteran's hospital. His visits to Eldrid stopped.
"She was asking about him," Mark said. "I'd say, 'Bill isn't feeling too well, he's not going to be up tonight.'"
The pneumonia she had recently beaten came back with a vengeance.
Bill died at 12:45 a.m. Sept. 23. The children decided to tell their mom.
Eldrid understood. She kept repeating his name.
But by 7 p.m., she was resting comfortably and the family went home.
At 8:30 p.m., a nurse called Mark and said she didn't think Mark would make it the mile to the hospital before his mother passed. She put the phone to Eldrid's ear.
"I told her it was OK to be with Bill," Mark said. "That we loved her and that everything was alright."
Mark knew Eldrid was declining but didn't think the two would die on the same day.
The family buried the couple together.
"You know, at the time, when it first happened, you're bawling and stuff," Mark said.
"But then you think ...'That's really beautiful.'"
Oct 9, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.
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MSNBC has a huge article on couples such as this today, they are asking for stories from families. As soon as I seen it I thought of this story.
Oct 7, 2008 at 7:38 a.m.
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As the Oldest grandchild of Bill & Eldrid, I appreciate the comments. I know Grandma & Grandpa Walker would be happy with this article. They were always an inspiration to the family.
Oct 6, 2008 at 12:43 a.m.
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Beautiful Love Story. Thanks a bunch for sharing it with us.
Oct 3, 2008 at 11:13 p.m.
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I would like to quote Cathy924, “For those of us that are blog watchers or contributors, we know this is a beautiful story not only for its contents but also for all the positive comments. This is the first time (that I recall)that there was not one negative or sarcastic comment. VERY refreshing!”
I agree, and I applaud all the posts of the other wonderful, caring and thoughtful people,
who have contributed to this blog.
I never had the honor of meeting Bill and Eldrid Walker, and that is my loss. My sincerest condolences to the family and please know that you are very blessed.
To quote Cathy924 again, “this is a beautiful story”. Thank you.
Oct 3, 2008 at 6:01 p.m.
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What a moving story. Bless you for sharing your wonderful loving parents with us! It is a true tribute to the way things used to be, and could be again. We simply need to learn to take one day at a time and put our mate's needs in front of our own, yet do this together.
It can be done... I think the only setback to relationships today is the desire for immediate gratification in all things... financial, job success, recognition, acceptance, comfort, sexual satisfaction... All these things are more fully appreciated when they are achieved together. The ebb and flow, the give and take... these are the relationships that last.
To get back to our roots and our need for lasting companionship, I pray will come full circle. This is MY goal with my husband... I believe this couple were the perfect example of a loving / lasting relationship.
How blessed their children must be. Thank you for sharing!
Oct 3, 2008 at 4:07 p.m.
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I have to say that this might be one of the most memorable stories ever! When I read this satory, it made my heart ache not only for the children of this couple to lose both parents within hours of each other, but to know that true love does exist! I think that it is obvious that the love that these two shared went so deep that they couldn't live without each other. I hope one day that I will be able to find this kind of love as well. My condolences to the family of this couple and I am sure that it is comforting to know that they , again, will never be apart.
Oct 3, 2008 at 4:02 p.m.
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Slainte - I think that people are just commenting on the fact that divorce rates are much higher than they used to be.... I have been with my boyfriend for seven years, and we have no intention to get married because we are happy just the way things are... I hope that if we live as long as this couple that we can pass just the same...
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Thank you for the story... it was Awesome and sad all at the same time... :)
Oct 3, 2008 at 10:24 a.m.
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Oops, posted it accidently while I was copy editing.
Oct 3, 2008 at 10:23 a.m.
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"If I was given a ticket to heaven and it wasn't meant for two, I'd tear the damn thing up and go to hell with you." -- Not meant to reflect the two individuals in the story, just a humorous quote I have heard.
Oct 3, 2008 at 10:22 a.m.
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"I was given a ticket to heaven and it wasn't meant for two, I tear the damn thing up and go to hell with you." -- Not meant to reflect the two individuals in the story, just a humorous quote I have heard.
Oct 3, 2008 at 8:42 a.m.
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What a beautiful story! I hope my husband and I can go to heaven together, too, after many, many, many years of marriage.
I am irritated, however, by commentors who feel compelled to 'go negative' and link this great story to their belief that people 'give up' on marriage too soon. As a divorced person, I take great offense to the constant badgering of divorced people on this website. I worked very hard to save my marriage, but a marriage can't last if there is only one person doing all the work. A marriage can't last if one of the members wants out. Divorce is very hard- I hope that none of these 'holier-than-thou' commentors ever have to experience the pain of divorce. However, if they do, God forbid, perhaps it will teach them a lesson in compassion and understanding.
Oct 2, 2008 at 9:20 p.m.
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curly sue, you hit the nail on the head... too bad more marriages don't last like this one!!! Many are too easy to give up. Bless this family!!!
Oct 2, 2008 at 12:32 p.m.
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It is wonderful to hear that two people love each other so much. I am happy that they are together forever now. I am sad, though, that the family had this loss. Yet, by this beautiful story, it sounds like they are happy the parents are together forever despite their pain in loss.
This couple seems to be quite the beautiful role models for all of us! Thank you to the Walker family for sharing the warmth of their parents! God love you all and be with you as you remember the love of your parents!
Oct 1, 2008 at 9:37 p.m.
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"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you."
Winnie the Pooh, from the Book, Winnie the Pooh
Oct 1, 2008 at 6:39 p.m.
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Kinda reminds ya of The Notebook, doesn't it?
Oct 1, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
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How beautiful! So many today think marriage is like buying a car, if you don't like the 'model' anymore, trade it in on a different one. This kind of true love is so very rare these days!!
Thanks for the heart warmer!!
Oct 1, 2008 at 3:06 p.m.
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The people at the care center also miss both Bill and Eldrid. Sometimes the loss of a patient can be just like a loss of a family member. I know the nurse who called Mark, and she was very sad to see Eldrid go, but knew with Bill being gone that she was wanting to join him.
Condolences to family for their loss.
Oct 1, 2008 at 3 p.m.
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Wouldn't it be a much more pleasant world as to have 2 people that compliment each other so completely and I wouldn't be afraid to say that their children are the better for seeing what their parents meant to each other. What a great story. Thanks for sharing.
Oct 1, 2008 at 2:37 p.m.
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This story is wonderful. Almost unheard of anymore. I used to work in a nursing home and we had a husband and wife in there. The wife passed away and the husband died exactly 4 min later. He couldn't bear to live without her. I hope my life turns out like this too. I am very sorry for your loss~to the family. At least your parents are together in heaven.
Oct 1, 2008 at 2:23 p.m.
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Quite possibly the most touching story I've ever read. Someday I hope to be that lucky. Thanks for sharing!!
Oct 1, 2008 at 1:55 p.m.
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the power of love, my thoughts are with there children, but what a great love story and thank you for sharing it. it brought tears to my eyes. may they live together forever in heaven just as they lived for each here on earth. god bless
Oct 1, 2008 at 1:19 p.m.
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condolences as well and a romantic story- tear jerker too.
Oct 1, 2008 at 1:05 p.m.
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this is so good. these are the kinds of things remind me why love is so important.
Oct 1, 2008 at 12:58 p.m.
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For those of us that are blog watchers or contributors, we know this is a beautiful story not only for its contents but also for all the positive comments. This is the first time (that I recall)that there was not one negative or sarcastic comment. VERY refreshing!
Oct 1, 2008 at 11:13 a.m.
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Now I am crying too. Except for the illnesses, this is the life we all dream of living. My condolences to the family and friends of this couple. Thank you so very much for sharing this story with the rest of us.
Oct 1, 2008 at 11:10 a.m.
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I hope my kids will look on my relationship with my husband this way when we pass! Thank you for your beautiful story, It's inspiring in this day and age!!!
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:42 a.m.
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I couldn't stop crying! Absolutely beautiful.
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:17 a.m.
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What a beautiful, wonderful, story. It is the best way to go, with each other. Thank you for sharing this truely inspirational story with all of us.
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:08 a.m.
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What a wonderful Story. My condolences for your loss. But this is a wonderful story of true love.
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:07 a.m.
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that is true love
Oct 1, 2008 at 9:58 a.m.
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Thanks for the beautiful story!
Oct 1, 2008 at 9:26 a.m.
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thank you and bless you and the family... that is a very beautiful, touching story of true love... this shows that there are such things as true soul mates...
Oct 1, 2008 at 9:12 a.m.
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Although I am sorry for your loss, I want to thank you for sharing your wonderful story. Bless you and your family.
Oct 1, 2008 at 9:11 a.m.
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They're together, forever, now.
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