In Remembrance of My Friend Bill Walton

My friend, basketball legend Bill Walton died this week after a private battle with cancer. I wanted to share our interview with Bill from March of 2022. You will hear the unbounded life force of his generous spirit. RIP Bill. ‪@gratefuldead‬

[@OswaldPHaygood]

One of my favorite Bill Walton stories: I was watching a Maui Invitational a few years ago, and Bill was the analyst. He starts talking about how wonderful the waters around Hawaii were, and how humpback whales would swim 10s of thousands of miles just to mate in the waters off Hawaii...then he says, "just like me!" 😂

[@walbers23]

Bill Walton....right up there as a GOAT human. will be sorely missed

[@MothGirl007]

He was awesome. 💗

[@stevewise1656]

Bill was one of one. There will never be anyone like him again. The world is less interesting, kind, bright, and full of life now that he's passed.

[@jamesanthony5257]

Mr. Bill Walton was one unique individual. May he RIP.

[@jillgilson2790]

Thank you for sharing your joyous interview. Miss him already. Miss you in Congress. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. He touched everyone. You are lucky to call him a friend

[@C.M.30337]

Lost another great one. Since I moved to San Diego in '77 and live North of Balboa Park, I've run into Bill a handful of times over the years, at stores mostly. Was able to tour his home, the Marston House, about 15 or so years ago. He recently was being a champion for the thousands of unhoused living all over the city and county and speaking up for them on their behalf with the city leaders. With the wonderful weather here, we have more than our share of people living in the great outdoors and more everyday as they get kicked out of their affordable ones that are sold. I'm glad he's been able to speak up for them in recent years. We still need him fighting the good fight as the numbers keep increasing. Thank you, Al, for replaying this interview and letting people find out what a great guy we just lost. I think he'll still be able to help those needing help from the other side as he knows so much more needs to be done. He's not finished yet. My sincerest condolences to all his loved ones as we're all dealing with his sudden loss. He's still here around us and will be as long as we need him, so keep that in mind and tell him anything you want as he hears us all. Thanks Bill for another life well lived and loved.

[@thomasstanfel3219]

I had the pleasure of meeting Bill in the mid 90’s at a trade show, and because I was lucky enough to know the right folks, got to spend an hour and a half with just him and a mutual friend. We spoke of music, hoops, life…with all the enthusiasm he possessed. A landmark moment for me as a young man. Cheers, Bill!!

[@stevewise1656]

Wow, that must've been incredible. I grew up in SoCal and a huge John Wooden and UCLA fan. Never met Bill, though watched him since I was a child.

[@patticriss2238]

I turned 60 yesterday. Hubs and I went to Bricktown in okc. When the news broadcast about Bill cut in. The whole restaurant became silent. The tvs were max volume. I cried. Funny story. My husband and I were traveling last week. Talking nostalgic things. My Grandaughter just earned an enormous rodeo scholarship in ok. We are all exhausted. Our horses are exhausted. We are tired. My Grandaughter said we need an infusion of energy to get us through July. I came home Sunday night and hubs and I were talking. I said, I’m gonna write a fan letter to Bill Walton and Larry Bird and a few others because they are not spring chickens and I want them to know they are appreciated and remembered and we need an infusion of positive energy so I’m gonna tell Bill Walton that and maybe we’ll get an email or something back. Coolest, most positive guy any of us shared the planet with. Began said letter Sunday night. Planned to find a way to send it Monday morning. Went to brunch and came home and read the first draft and cried my eyes out. Now it’s too late. Broke my heart. I really wanted him to k ow he made a difference to folks he never even met.

[@patticriss2238]

I have never written a letter to a celebrity of any kind except Priscilla when Elvis died and Tim Russert family when he passed. I felt shaken when Russert died. One of the few who had earned my complete trust. He has been missed. I’ve enjoyed Luke. He was irreplaceable. As was Big Red. Singular human.

[@beholden1663]

Wow what a story.Bill’s soul hears you. Sending ❤️👏

[@donniemoder1466]

Bill Walton was like Jesus, he suffered for you, he healed the sick, he was tall and skinny, he said profound things, he walked the walk and talked the talk. He motivated people and was a powerful force for positivity.

[@BAKER22-l4u]

WTF is WRONG with you? Bill was a great human being, but to compare him to Jesus is WITHOUT a doubt, the MOST IDIOTIC thing I've EVER heard!! You NEED SERIOUS MENTAL COUNSELING!!!

[@danford7918]

Such a good, fun guy. Lived life to the fullest

[@onepunch9203]

I almost cried when Bill said he put the NBA 100th year celebration on his calendar already. 😕 He just exuded optimism. 🌞 We need more people like Bill. He will be missed. (BTW..... Fuck cancers of any kind!) 😖 Edit: I just ordered Bill's book, Back From the Dead, in audio format and read by the author!

[@larindanomikos]

Jesse Ventura was talking about losing him today also. Always especially sad when we lose a good one. R. I. P.

[@rool7956]

Please run again- we need good people in congress- RIP Bill- beautiful soul

[@bengrabenstein2929]

Didn't realize that losing this one was going to hurt so much

[@patticriss2238]

While we are here anyway, Mr Franken, I trust YOU! Thank you for that. Trauma has crushed my ability to trust easily. I trust you.

[@phyllisdinsmore6704]

I'm an Oregonian. I can't say enough about what a great guy he was. I'm glad all those years ago I bought my kids the Wheaties box with Bill Walton. They were fans and I can't think of too many sports figures I would want them to look at as an example.

[@janefinley-english1051]

Thanks Al for this crazy interview. What a lovable & amazing man! Heaven got a good one.

[@jodywho6696]

Im so sorry about your friend. Celtic Great. Bill Walton. ✨

[@martinschenk1003]

During the Blazers' championship season of 1977 the team's fave dining spot was Chuck's Steak House in downtown Portland. As a parking valet, I often parked Bill's Mercedes sedan, which had its driver's seat custom set back. Even at 6'2" I could barely reach the pedals. Bill was always smiling, always down to Earth, always asked a question as to how I was doing and always gave a big tip. A solid soul in every way.

[@gchomuk]

As a Chicagoan, I've always resented BW. Hearing this, I now realize he was a good guy, but he was also a good player. RIP and newfound respect. Thanks, Al. I wish you were still in government.

[@direwolf6234]

franken gave up too easily ..

[@tybrady4598]

That was awesome! I saw Bill at a Dead show or two. I never knew much about him. What a positive energy guy!

[@peace2u25]

What a force of nature! You made the world a better place Bill.

[@jaynefinley]

Condolences to you, Al and Bill's family. Thank you for honoring him by rerunning this interview.

[@billme372]

I especially remember watching Bill Walton play at UCLA when he was a freshman. That freshman team was insanely good. Beautiful to watch.

[@sandymcpartlon9972]

What a treasure.

[@russcarvertruthjedi259]

He will be missed; he was an ambassador of love, peace and knowledge. I've never been disappointed listening to him ramble on about absolutely anything. My heart is both broken and grateful to have experienced his wonderful humanity ❣️

[@Dzztzt]

What an incredible interview and human being. Sorry for your loss, Al.

[@shiddykiddy-lp4dz]

RIP Mr. Walton 😢

[@SunnyGrandma]

I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear friend.

[@murrayorrick7649]

Thank you, thank you thank you. I think all of us need to hear Bill’s words of positivity and enthusiasm. Thank you Al for reposting this, otherwise I would not have heard it.. Crying now with gratitude.

[@lindagarland5223]

Thank you for sharingthis podcast at a time when the world lost a force of our time, Bill Walton.❤

[@TerlinguaTalkeetna]

Be better, do better, do more. Damn right brother. Strive on folks .......by doing Bill's words everyday.

[@kellyjohnson3617]

Didn’t know bill walton was sick. I grew up near Portland so I remember him from the blazers and the championship year. He was the wild red head in the era when basketball was a team sport that was so compelling and wonderful. He will be very much missed

[@karenhousley610]

What a life

[@mikewallin6049]

We will miss him 😭 BDE

[@patriciamartinez-lx8dy]

Great interview about your belove friend , Bill Walton. He will be deeply missed. Condolences to family and friends.🙏

[@karenjones1897]

thank you, al. wonderful to hear bill walton. forever in your heart.

[@texasbluebonnet4303]

So glad you had him as a friend Al! Believe me you will always remember him! You are very fortunate that he found you this really successful , experienced and talented surgeon. I have met so many people who are not any better after having had a 2nd back surgery. It sounds like he was suffering horribly those last 5 years of his life.

[@troyheald77]

AAA+++Bedford, Texas========Thanks=======

[@scottcampbell96]

Thank you for sharing this amazing conversation, Al. Mr Walton was an incredible human. Sorry for the loss of your friend.

[@sheilablackburn9714]

Such an inspirational soul, our world definitely need needs more people like this in it. Al. I'm so glad you're able to share space with him for so many years, I'm sure you have wonderful memories that you will carry forever.

[@misterblint9511]

A life long Knicks fan, Bill forced me to root for the celtics. A great guy and beautiful soul.

[@mrbond59]

I love his definition of Pride: Satisfaction with our choices. Brilliant!

[@jessicalocke9943]

No one knew! Omg, Portland Oregon kid here, he helped the Blazers win their ONLY championship. What a deadicated Dead Head... he's hanging with Jerry... Rest in Peace gentle giant. ❤

[@daveburns3886]

Thanks Al , you and bill r unique and great people and patriots

[@patticriss2238]

One positive thing and maybe this was Bill in some Small way, My Grandaughter watched several tributes to Bill today. She’s gonna watch his big red doc tonight. Maybe there is the infusion in his own, unique and giving way. It has made me determined to be as positive and loving and helpful as I can be. Try to be a small part of what Bill was Teying to do.

[@memyselfandeye8377]

My condolences 🙏

[@carlbenson6412]

What a guy Al! I'm going to write a few lines of tribute in my little column/blog 'Morning Round-Up' from my interactions with Bill tomorrow morning. Nice remembrance!

[@randallsmith5631]

Bill never met a stranger. A raconteur

[@patriciafarmer5343]

This is hard..What a loss. You will be so missed Bill Walton. Rest in Peace.

[@novascheller5957]

What a sweetheart! So much positivity and enthusiasm. No wonder people loved him so. ❤

[@waynekaminski5438]

Bill Walton would tell you that he was not born as a perfect person, but Mr. Walton would also not bang his own drum about how it took guts, sweat, determination and an ability to stay optimistic that propelled him not only to the pinnacle of NCAA and NBA stardom but to being a better man. RIP Bill Walton.

[@AshleyTwelve]

Thank you 🙏

[@lovinglight1720]

REST IN PEACE sorry for your lost

[@Robe7783]

Boy, I am going to really miss him being in this world. I am going to miss him calling college basketball games. Yes, there are unique people all over the world but Mr. Bill Walton was a “ very unique “ person but in a very, very good way!! He is going to be missed forever🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@irasparer6111]

What a brilliant loving blessed human being. Rest in peace, Bill.

[@peacelovejoy8786]

Bills not gone he's just moved to a higher way of being. His spirit soars free of his body. Fly high my brother and enjoy the peace 🥀🕊

[@brianhildreth9099]

❤ Love this! Thank you Al and rest easy Bill!

[@kenbrown1440]

The World is truly a far lesser place without Bill.

[@annewebbpots]

Thank you for sharing that. I used to watch him play ball, but never realized just what a lovely guy off the court he was too.

[@ryansullivan5575]

I have no words, there are no words, RIP Big Bill!

[@kft590]

Listening to Bill talking reminded me of Robin Williams as they both riffed with a stream of consciousness that was a joy to listen to. Every year during the final four he would talk with a local sports station and when his stream of consciousness started it was the best part of the interview, I will miss hearing him riff like that again.

[@beholden1663]

Bill even referred in this interview to a book he recently read which was a biography of Robin Williams.

[@blacknrd05]

Great video. RIP Bill.

[@lizinawe]

.y condolences. Sending hugs.❤❤❤

[@bradmurphy3206]

Love both you guys and GD. RIP Bill Walton.

[@dalehodges5362]

Dick Enberg was UCLA play by play voice. We could watch the games 3 times a day with Enberg's voice highlighting the growing culture. We provided Bill fresh fruit juice for every home and away game the year Portland won it all.

[@IndependentWood]

Listening to Bill Walton talk changed my perspective. The positivity and joy in his voice was emotional for me. What a beautiful person.

[@scottstern6508]

The biggest (literally & figuratively) head & official mascot is a great loss for fellow heads & humanity as a whole! Of the millions of devoted fans throughout the world, I bet everyone of em got stuck sitting behind Bill at one point or another. It was 90 or 91 for me at Soldier Field. Fare you well, fare you well Bill!

[@VatnykSlayer_fella]

Fare you well Fare you well I love you more than words can tell...

[@pmroveda]

As a St. Mary’s student across the street from Notre Dame, I was at that game where ND broke UCLA’s winning streak. Was waiting outside the men’s locker rooms after the game with a girlfriend who was waiting for her boyfriend to come out. Bill Walton came out. He was whistling the ND fight song.

[@iranonkin1602]

Sorry for your loss. Great loss of a great man.

[@fv1291]

Bull was my neighbor. Nicest man in the world, and loved riding his bike around our neighborhood.

[@nlabanok]

We should all live with the joy and kind spirit that William Theodore Walton III lived. The world IS emptier with his passing but these great memories will have to fill that void.

[@alannohlgren]

Fantastic interview, & so perfectly personel. You can't mistake Bill's voice & mannerisms for anyone else. I was aware of him while he was at UCLA, & then a miracle happened & he was drafted to Portland, my home town. I don't know if Blazer mania, the term given to the extremely high enthusiasm displayed by the Portland fans as we approached the NBA finals that year (1977 I believe) is known to the wider world. But my goodness! How we loved that team, & how the team seemed to love being in Portland. We won it all in '77, even beating the Philadelphia 76ers & the marvelous Dr J to win the crown. This was a dynasty destined to last a long time. Then a quarter of the way thru the following season came the slap, the huge reality check: Bill Walton could lead the Trail Blazers only in nso far as his body held up. Unfortunately, sustaining a 6 foot 11 inch frame throughout a grueling 80 games plus season is easier said than done. Witnessing Bill Walton's career altering accident was a terrible thing to behold. His long legs (which helped give him that tremendous height) were vulnerable under certain conditions, & these conditions were met when he had a fatal fall early in the 1978 season with the Blazers. He would never be the same, & after roaring off to something like a 23 & 6 start, the team fell to below 50% without the dominating presence of rebounder, passer & scorer Bill Walton. The rest us history.

[@pathof7494]

That was special. Thank you, Al!

[@NoSacredCowFla]

I met Bill a couple of times back in the day at Dead shows. The first in Sandie go at Golden Hall in San Diego around '78 or '79. He was a good guy.

[@romanclay1913]

In 1972 at UCLA, we students demonstrated against Nixon’s Vietnam War by first occupying the Franklin Murphy Administration Building and then had a mass sit-down demonstration at the intersection of Wilshire and Veteran. Bill Walton was always there standing up for what he believed in. Thank you BW.

[@jeffmousseau2225]

Thanks for this, what a contrast to all of the other nonsense and self serving diatribes we hear in the news these days

[@philippesauvie639]

I was in Memorial Coliseum when the trailblazers won the NBA championship in 1977. A few years ago I met Bill Walton at Powells books in Portland and we talked for like eight minutes with hundreds of people in line about some special memorabilia I had from the championship season. He was really excited about it. he signed a copy of his book for me, BACK FROM THE DEAD. I believe he will be and have a story to tell. Just watch.

[@karenanderson5218]

I did not know what a lovely man he was. I am so sorry for your loss Al.

[@scrubjay93]

My dad and his best friend owned the small apartment building in Portland that Bill and his wife rented when he came to Portland in the mid-1970s. I was in junior high or high school. One night my dad and mom and I had Chinese food in Portland and dad wanted to check something at the apartment, but I think he wanted also to introduce me to Bill. Mom stayed in the car, Well, nobody answered the door, but dad used his key and let me come in too. I didn't want to - it felt like I was trespassing! But my dad was a great guy - he just checked the heating and we left. I noticed a mountain of shoe boxes spilling out of the closet. Bill had Native American photographs and books. I saw him play with the Trailblazers in those years. I remember the Patty Hearst scandal. I'm so sad he is gone. 😔

[@dianebig7857]

What an inspiring video. RIP sweet fellow Bruin.

[@maggiealena]

My condolences for your loss in a close friend and to his family.

[@andygrengs2838]

This was a beautiful conversation. I fell about Al the same as Bill does and I feel about Bill the same as Al does.

[@jackvanbrocklin44]

The Crayon Box of smells, light and colors will NEVER be forgotten.

[@lizbyrne7356]

Best Interview EVER !!

[@RobertDavis-db3fs]

Sadly, Bill is gone and there will never be another one of him. However, we can still be inspired by his incredible life.

[@mitchellschwartz2148]

Thank you, Al for putting up this interview. Bill Walton was an incredible human being. The loss is seismic. May his memory live on forever.

[@castillomark]

I confess I teared up listening to this replay of that special podcast. Bill Walton was definitely a good spirit.

[@MartinLocke-tf3ws]

“May the Four Winds blow you Safely Home!”⚡️💀🌹❤️

[@robertjrobicheau8456]

I was 8 when Bill was at UCLA. I like many, loved the guy. His hoops, media excellence, and painful life is well documented. His community service to the San Diego area and his walk of life is HOF stuff also. Not nearly as documented. The stuff he talks about in this interview was important enough for him to take action not just talk about it. 4 min video "A gas station meeting with Bill Walton changed this paralyzed young man's life." Who shows this kind of kindness to a stranger? A amazing, caring, loving man. Bill Walton. Thanks for posting this Al. We lost a great human being.

[@RMT192]

I was kind of a fan of Bill's but I'm really hit by his passing. I was ignoring his greatness and goodness until he was gone. Won't make that mistake again.

[@KBB4eva]

Loved Bill

[@randallsmith5631]

Like they say in Okla.He's a rounder.

[@pauldanielewicz1054]

What a great human being. Such a loss but what a wonderful gift his life was. If he didn’t have the terrible chronic back and foot problems, he could have been the greatest basketball player of all time. Condolences to his family and friends.

[@briley9518]

BILL WALTON FOREVER ❤

[@tomnohmy1273]

Had no idea he was so loved

[@rickwitten]

I believe Al completed 5 sentences, and 3 of them were in the introduction. 😂 Great interview, great man. Thank you!

[@hazellove2144]

Thank you Al. I will miss this special man.

[@marktait2371]

yeh we loved ol bill friend and i used to watch ballgames sometimes wed laugh thats a fowhl puhlease haha best interview was him talking about john wooden he and sydney wicks best frontcourt in basketball but had to buy in to all the 7 8 other players rotation no just about them led them the success they had and the legendary night 21 of 22 will.never be matched and the win streak also of course different then true 5 center just a few throwbacks today

[@Spaceman1968]

So sad. Bill was a great man!