UPDATE: Family members of the late basketball legend Bill Walton have just announced a heartfelt plan to honor his legacy in his hometown of La Mesa and near Balboa Park. The proposals were revealed today, on what would have been Walton’s 73rd birthday, highlighting his profound impact on the community.
Activist Shane Harris is set to submit two proposals to local officials: First, renaming a portion of Park Boulevard in San Diego as “Honorary Bill Walton Way.” This stretch runs alongside Balboa Park, a site Walton often cycled. Second, a plan to expand Walton’s 2003 Walk of Fame display in La Mesa and create a “Bill Walton Square” near Helix High School, where his basketball journey took flight.
His wife, Lori Walton, expressed gratitude to the crowd gathered on Zoo Drive, stating, “Bill gave so much of himself to this city because it gave so much to him. Our family is humbled and deeply moved by this outpouring of love.”
Walton, who passed away in 2024 at age 71, was a celebrated athlete, born on November 5, 1952, in La Mesa. He led the Helix Highlanders to San Diego Section championships in 1969 and 1970. At UCLA, Walton was a three-time Player of the Year, helping the team secure NCAA championships in 1972 and 1973. He was the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft, selected by the Portland Trail Blazers, and led them to a championship in 1977.
After his playing career, Walton transitioned to broadcasting, overcoming a stutter to become an Emmy-winning analyst for networks including CBS and ESPN. In 1991, he won a Sports Emmy for best live television sports telecast and was named one of the top 50 sports broadcasters of all time by the American Sportscasters Association in 2009.
During the announcement, Ted Leitner, a Padres Hall of Famer, praised Walton’s character, saying, “Bill was a force of nature. His love for people, for this city, and for life itself was unmatched.”
Officials from La Mesa have confirmed they will discuss the proposal at an upcoming city council meeting, with preliminary discussions already taking place with San Diego councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera and Stephen Whitburn.
This initiative not only seeks to commemorate Walton’s contributions to basketball but also to celebrate his enduring connection to the San Diego community. As Harris noted, “Bill didn’t just live in San Diego – he belonged to it. Now, this city will forever belong to him.”
Stay tuned as these proposals develop, and the community prepares to honor a beloved sports icon whose legacy continues to inspire many.
