DRY PRONG – Visitation is Tuesday evening and a funeral service Wednesday afternoon for Murrell Walker, a 1992 Graduate N Club Hall of Fame inductee for his championship-laden athletic career at Northwestern State, and a Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame inductee for his prep basketball coaching career.
 
Walker, 81, passed away last Saturday. Visitation will be at the First Baptist Church of Dry Prong from 5-8 Tuesday evening. The funeral is Wednesday at 2 at the church, under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Alexandria.
 
A star athlete for the Demons in basketball and track and field from 1951-55, Walker was a three-time All-Gulf States Conference runner for coach Walter Ledet's GSC championship teams. He ran the 440, 880, and mile relay as the Demons won GSC team titles in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. The mile relay was unbeaten during his four years and set a GSC record in his senior year.
 
A four-year basketball letterman, Walker helped the Demons to three straight 20-win seasons, including GSC championships under coach Charles "Red" Thomas in 1953-54 and 1954-55. Northwestern State posted an 83-42 record in his career, the second-best four-year stretch in school history.
 
He became one of the most successful coaches in state prep history in a 25-year career ending with his retirement in 1980. His former players will be honorary pallbearers.
 
He is survived by his wife, Mickey, two sons, Walt and Kent, along with four grandsons, a great granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.