According to Wikipedia, William Walker was: “ an American physician, lawyer, journalist and mercenary who organized several private military expeditions into Latin America, with the intention of establishing English-speaking colonies under his personal control, an enterprise then known as “filibustering.” Walker usurped the presidency of the Republic of Nicaragua in 1856 and ruled until 1857, when he was defeated by a coalition of Central American armies. He was executed by the government of Honduras in 1860.”
Wait, what? This guy has a Historical Marker in Spartanburg? Nah, just kidding. Wrong William Walker. Our William Walker was a real sweetheart compared to this guy!
William “Singin’ Billy” Walker was born in 1809 in Martin’s Mills South Carolina (near present day Cross Hill) and grew up in Spartanburg.
“Singin’ Billy” became well known in the 1850s as a composer, performer, and publisher of Baptist Hymnals, including Southern Harmony and Christian Harmony, but he is best known as the developer of the “shape note” system of reading and writing music. Shape notes made it possible for people who couldn’t read traditional sheet music to sing along with the choir at church and the popular tent revivals.
He died in September of 1875 and is buried in Spartanburg’s Magnolia Cemetery, which is where his Historical Marker is located.
Below is an excerpt from an SCETV special about his life
I loved the story of “Singing Billy Walker”, it reminds me of music I heard as a child growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Yes ma’am, especially the part about “Amazing Grace”. I had no clue!