The National Wrestling Hall of Fame was saddened to learn that Bobby Walton, who was honored as a Meritorious Official by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005, has passed away. He also received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2001.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Sunny Lane Funeral Home, 4000 SE 29th Street in Del City, Oklahoma. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 3 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Midwest City, 705 E. Rickenbacker Dr. in Midwest City, Oklahoma.

“Bobby leaves a big footprint in our sport as a referee and mentor to many. He was proficient at every level he officiated and was always encouraging wrestlers, coaches and referees to better understand the rules while also inspiring them to stick with it or pursue an even higher level,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “On behalf of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors and staff, I want to extend our condolences to Bobby’s wife, Shirley, his family and all of those in wrestling who he influenced.”

Shirley Walton received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Oklahoma Chapter in 2010.

Bobby Walton earned his reputation as a top official from his achievements as a referee at both the scholastic/collegiate level and within international wrestling.

In the collegiate style, Walton worked many of the most important events each season, including the Big Eight Wrestling Championships, the Oklahoma Open and the Sunshine Open. He was the head official at the University of Oklahoma from 1980 to 1984.

In international style competition, he officiated numerous meets, including the Sunkist Open, the U.S. Senior Open, the United States Armed Forces Championships and the ASICS Cadet Junior Nationals. Walton officiated five Olympic Team Trials and was on the mat at the last Sports Festival, held in Colorado in 1996.

His zeal to help younger officials motivated him to start what is now the Top Gun Mentoring Program within the United States Wrestling Officials Association. Walton served on the executive boards for both USA Wrestling and AAU Wrestling. He was the assistant coach for the AAU national championship team in 1978.

Bobby Walton was truly a master official and his generous encouragement earned him the respect of his peers and countless young men.