Walter Payton, the football legend, left a hole in the hearts of football fans when he died tragically from an aggressive form of bile duct cancer. He passed away on 1st November 1999 and left the entire world in mourning for a humble soul but Where is Walter Payton buried?
It is one of the most asked questions as his death came as a shock to many. Payton’s demise at the age of 45 led the entire football community into mourning.
There are multiple guesses on how Payton met his end, There are whispers about how his demise related to depression, suicidal pain medications as well, and excruciating pain from the cancer, however he passed away he didn’t leave the world without putting up a fight.
Let’s look into how one of the best American football players, Walter Payton met his end and where he is buried now. The burial site of Payton is so much more than a mere piece of land; rather, it is a memorial and a focal point for all the fans.
Where is Walter Payton buried?
Walter Payton was cremated and his remains were buried next to his mother’s in the Rest Haven cemetery, Columbia, Marion County, Mississippi, USA.
Payton grew up in a small town in Mississippi, his mother a cotton-picker was also cremated and buried in the rest haven cemetery.
It is quoted by multiple people, especially, his 12 years old son, Jerret Payton, “that’s what grandma would have wanted”. Therefore, apparently, due to Walter Payton’s Mother’s Wishes, Walter Payton was buried next to his mother in Columbia Mississippi.
Burial Site Importance:
Walter Payton’s burial site plays a significant role. It is the best resting place for the NFL player as it pays homage to his entire career with the Chicago Bears.
Walter Payton is buried in Chicago which also connects him to his life’s work and also brings his fans closer to him.
Payton’s burial site is popular amongst his fans who come here to pay their respects to the player. His grave has his name, date, and place of birth, and also his date of death so it is easier for his fan followers to visit him.
Payton’s tombstone encapsulates his entire life with three words, “never die easy”. It was his Mantra throughout his life as he was resilient, strong, and determined towards his goals. He even in his last days fought through cancer and never gave in.
So one would ask why Walter Payton was buried there. Instead of where Walter Payton was buried. Walter Payton was buried in Chicago because Chicago was not just a place where he played his entire career, it was a second home to him.
Payton’s community for which he worked hard on the field as well as in philanthropic work, Payton worked for and in Chicago and it was his dream to be close and to help the people of his state.
Payton’s Memorial Service:
Walter Payton did not have a single memorial service, as Walter Payton was cremated. He had multiple services, one was held officially on the soldier field. The NFL paid their regards. Multiple famous people took part in these memorial services.
The service had a combination of his friends, family, and NFL family as well. Walter Payton’s memorial service consisted of multiple eulogies and shared their favorite memories of the player. It was a beautiful way of paying respect to the beloved soul of Walter Payton.
Brief History:
Walter Jerry Payton is one of the best football players America has seen. He was born on July 25, 1954, in Columbia, Mississippi. His passion for football started early on in his life, but he didn’t play until high school.
Payton’s exceptional scores in college football at the Jackson State College led his selection to the Chicago Bears where he broke several records and set new high scores for various positions. He was a running back for the Chicago Bear from 1975 till 1987.
Apart from his great achievements in the field, Payton was also in the limelight for helping out his community with education, and health as well as aiding scholarships to pursue his career and passions.
Cause of death:
Walter Payton passed away because of an aggressive form of bile duct cancer. He was 45 years old when he passed away. Payton was known for his drug addiction as he used to take strong medications for his injuries while he was playing. He continued this dangerous habit and ended up with a rare liver disease known as PSC, Primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Although he was treated for PSC, it is believed that it was the root cause of Walter Payton’s death. After a while, he was diagnosed with a rare form of bile duct cancer, which traps the bile fluid inside the liver causing irritation, swelling, and inflammation. He passed away on 1st November 1999 while he was fighting the battle of Cancer.
Achievements:
Walter Payton was one of the most valuable players in the NFL. He was selected in the Pro Super Bowl multiple times. He was the best running back of the Chicago Bears. he is known for his versatility. He was also the reason why the Chicago Bears were victorious in the Super Bowl in 1985. Walter Payton was the all-time leading rusher till 2002.
Apart from his on-field achievements, he was very focused on his philanthropic work. He was charitable and made a Walter Payton and Connie foundation that helped with education for students around him. He worked in multiple sectors like health, education, as well as scholarship aids. To give back to his community.
Conclusion for Where is Walter Payton Buried:
So, where is Walter Payton buried? If you ask this question to any football fan his answer would be the same, in our hearts. Payton was not just a great player but also a great individual who left a mark on every fan’s heart.
Payton’s final resting place is a well-thought-out and very significant place for him, his family, as well as his community. Chicago was a second home to him and he is also idolized there. His life’s work was appreciated and he was loved by all the Chicagoans.
FAQs
Walter Payton passed away on 1st November 1999.
Walter Payton passed away because of bile duct cancer.