On May 27, 2024, former professional basketball player Bill Walton took his last breath at his home in San Diego at the age of 71. He was battling colon cancer, which he eventually lost and passed away.
For most of his life, Bill struggled with severe health problems. Weight was one of his issues, but apart from that, he suffered several injuries which later affected his mobility.
Once, during an exclusive talk with AdvaMed, he said, “My injuries piled up. Bad back, broken bones, ankle and foot problems, broken hands and wrists, knee injuries, and broken noses.”
Due to this, he had to go through debilitating chronic pain, due to which he couldn’t sit, stand, or even lie down. It all made his life more than worse.
To get relief from the pain, Bill tried out different treatment options like acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, alternative medicine, meditation, massage, yoga, physical therapy, and many others. But nothing worked out for him.
Bill Walton said that he even contemplated taking his own life to get rid of the pain, but luckily, he found out the way finally and later recovered.
Bill Walton’s wife, Lori Matsuoka, assisted him fully in his recovery journey
While seeking a way to deal with his pain, Bill came in contact with a genius surgeon, Dr. Steve Garfin. After that, he underwent several complicated surgeries and finally got back to his life.
During the process, his wife, Lori, supported him unwaveringly. He said that his wife used to leave him notes in different corners of his house: “Little yellow notes with simple—but incredibly powerful—messages written on them.”
Bill Walton Lori Matsuoka pic.twitter.com/IzmWrM6dQD
— Daily Quotes&Sayings (@DailyGreatest) November 20, 2016
Lori used to help him zoom in on his tiny accomplishments in his recovery journey by listing them, which he named “Lori’s happiest milestone.” After 8 months of surgery, he finally started living a normal life.
After that, he lived his life fully for years. He shared several happy moments with his family and colleagues, but it didn’t last long. Later, he was diagnosed with colon cancer, which took his life.
Additional Information
- Bill Walton married twice, first with Susan Guth (1979-1989) and then with Lori Matsuoka (1991-2024).
- Bill’s playing career was short due to his injuries; however, he later worked as a sportscaster, studio analyst, and color commentator.
- Bill was survived by his wife and four children: Adam, Nathan, Luke, and Chris Walton.
