William J. Walker Honored As ‘Man Of The Year’ By Leo High School

Major General William J. Walker, a member of the Board of Directors of the Young Marines, a national youth organization, was honored as “Leo High School Alumni Association’s Man of the Year” for 2019. The ceremony took place on Friday, April 26, 2019, at the annual Leo Alumni Banquet held at Chateau Del Mar in Hickory Hills, Illinois.

A capacity crowd of hundreds greeted him with a standing ovation. In his remarks, he credited Leo with instilling in him the belief that the only limits he'd encounter in life were those he placed on himself, prompting another ovation.

“We offer our heartiest congratulations to our friend and colleague,” said Bill Smith, chairman of the Young Marines board of directors. “His lifetime of achievement and service to the nation makes him very deserving of the prestigious ‘Man of the Year’ honor.”

Leo High School’s Principal Shaka Rawls nominated Major General Walker noting that he is one of the most accomplished and impressive people to have walked the halls of Leo High School.

“In the long history of this event, I don’t know if we’ve had a more deserving ‘Man of the Year’ recipient than Major General Walker," said Dan Stecich, president of the Leo Alumni Association. "Throughout his life he has embodied the Leo High School motto of Facta non Verba---Deeds not Words. It's an honor for us to recognize his many achievements, because he's such an outstanding role model for the entire Leo community."

Born and raised in Chicago, Major General Walker graduated in 1975 from Leo High School, Chicago. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He earned a master’s degree from Chicago State University and received a commission in the Army Reserve via the ROTC program.

Major General Walker’s further education includes another master’s degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University and International Relations from American University and numerous graduate certificates.

Major General Walker became a Special Agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 1983 and served for more than 30 years in national and international positions of increasing responsibility culminating with promotion to the senior executive service rank.

A veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle, he is the recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters and many other awards and decorations.

Following his retirement from DEA as Deputy Assistant Administrator in charge of strategic intelligence, Major General Walker continued to serve the nation in the National Guard. He has been full-time with the National Guard since January 2017 and was appointed Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard, by President Donald J. Trump in March 2018.

Major General Walker is active in the Young Marines, many community and law enforcement organizations, and is a life member of dozens of organizations including the Alpha Phi Alpha public service fraternity.