Bill Walton epitomized the spirit of San Diego, despite his ventures to UCLA and the NBA. Even while away, he remained a staunch advocate for his hometown, becoming an unofficial ambassador. Known nationwide for his eccentric broadcasting style, locals remember him as the towering figure often seen cycling around town or providing unintentional humor at Padres games. Fond of saying, “I love my bike, I love San Diego, and I love solar power,” Walton maintained a strong connection to his roots, even as he battled cancer and aged gracefully. His passion for cycling was evident, riding his custom Grateful Dead-themed bike to events like the Amgen Tour of California. Standing at 6-foot-11, he was possibly the tallest Deadhead, boasting attending Grateful Dead concerts nearly 850 times. His tie-dyed shrine to the band at his Balboa Park residence was legendary.

Padres fans recall his memorable appearance at Grateful Dead Night in 2019, where he played bongos, threw an errant first pitch, and delayed the game with his jovial antics. Despite his fame, Walton remained connected to his roots, having grown up in La Mesa and excelled in basketball at Helix High. His family continued his sporting legacy, with all four sons playing college basketball, carrying on his love for the game.