Bill Walton was one of the most interesting and dynamic people to influence sports and culture over the last 71 years. A basketball icon with a passion for The Grateful Dead, he engaged sports enthusiasts for nearly three decades with his vibrant commentary as a broadcaster.
Mr. Walton died on May 27 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
The Becker's Healthcare team remembers Mr. Walton fondly. We had the privilege of working with him at our live events. Our small window into his big world let us recognize that his energy, passion and ability to inspire others was simply unmatched.
With a perpetual smile on his face and sparkle in his eye, Mr. Walton shared with us gems from his time playing at UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden, winning two national championships during his tenure. Mr. Walton was then drafted by the Portland Trailblazers and helped lead the team to a national championship in 1977. Despite suffering injuries, the 6-foot-11 Mr. Walton continued to lead on and off the court, winning a second championship with the Boston Celtics in 1986. While he earned several MVP awards and accolades for his achievements, Mr. Walton remained the consummate teammate.
After retiring from the court, Mr. Walton set his sights on an unlikely career for those who knew him in the early days: broadcasting. He had a stutter growing up and was shy, often opting out of media interviews and public statements. But he found his voice to become one of the most beloved and entertaining broadcasters in the game. He has said becoming a public speaker was, "my greatest accomplishment…and your worst nightmare," according to The Athletic.
Mr. Walton told an audience of healthcare executives at the Becker's 18th Annual Ambulatory Surgery Centers Conference in 2011 that "persistence, perseverance and discipline" led him to catching his first broadcasting break, which turned into a successful, long running and Emmy-winning career. He spent time on NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox and ESPN, covering primarily Pac-12 basketball. Mr. Walton had a reputation for colorful commentary and awe-struck proclamations. His broadcasts were a must-watch alongside each game because his excitement was infectious.
"Chase your dream. Climb that mountain," Mr. Walton shared with the Becker's community. At that time, he still referenced Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success as the cornerstone of his life's achievements. This framework comprised various qualities and virtues such as industriousness, enthusiasm, poise, skill, and others, which both the coach and Mr. Walton deemed indispensable for navigating life's surprises.
Mr. Walton contained multitudes. In 2016, he published his memoir titled "Back From the Dead," a playfully titled homage to The Grateful Dead, a band he adored and avidly followed to over 850 concerts. Within its pages, Mr. Walton generously shared insights into the numerous challenges he encountered throughout his career, including enduring 37 orthopedic surgeries.
"What I will remember most about [Mr. Walton] was his zest for life," Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, told The Athletic, part of The New York Times. "He was a regular presence at league events — always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered."
Mr. Walton's life was marked by resilience, a strong commitment to teamwork, and his remarkable ability to find goodness in the world around him. He befriended many and earned the admiration of colleagues and fans alike. He advocated for others and showed us the immense joy to be found in being the ultimate team player.
"We may remember him as a broadcaster or a basketball player, but I think I'll remember him more as just a human and somebody who cared about other people," John Canzano, a sports columnist, told KPIC in Oregon, a CBS affiliate. "During the pandemic, he called into my radio show because he felt he needed to give a pep talk to people, and it's just a fantastic bit of evidence that Bill Walton was a good person trying to make the world better."
We at Becker's Healthcare extend our condolences to Mr. Walton's family, loved ones and fans. We are grateful for the small amount of time we were able to bask in the warmth of someone who was truly larger than life.
Editor's note: Becker's Healthcare deeply regrets the oversight in our June 3 promotional email, which erroneously mentioned Mr. Walton as a speaker at a fall event. This email was pre-scheduled before Mr. Walton's passing, and we failed to update it accordingly. We extend our sincere apologies to Mr. Walton's loved ones, as well as to all our readers and email recipients, for any distress or inconvenience caused. Becker's is committed to learning from this mistake and implementing measures to prevent such errors in the future.