Orton Caswell Walker | |
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Mayor of Knoxville | |
In office 1946–1946 | |
Preceded by | E. E. Patton |
Succeeded by | Edward Chavannes |
In office 1959–1959 | |
Preceded by | Jack W. Dance |
Succeeded by | John J. Duncan |
Knoxville City Council | |
In office 1941–1971 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Orton Caswell Walker March 23, 1902 Sevier County, Tennessee |
Died | September 25, 1998 Knoxville, Tennessee | (aged 96)
Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery |
Nickname | Cas Walker |
Orton Caswell "Cas" Walker (March 23, 1902 – September 25, 1998), was a Tennessee businessman, politician, and personality on television and radio. Walker founded a successful chain of small grocery stores that grew to include several dozen stores scattered throughout the Knoxville, Tennessee vicinity as well as parts of Virginia and Kentucky. From 1941 through 1971, Walker served on the Knoxville city council where he became legendary for his uncompromising political stances and his vehement opposition to what he claimed was a corrupt elitism in the city's government. The Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour, a local variety show sponsored by Walker, ran in various radio and television formats between 1929 and 1983 and helped launch the careers of entertainer Dolly Parton and the Everly Brothers.