CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Long-time WSOC-TV anchor Bill Walker was inducted into the inaugural class of the Charlotte Broadcast Hall of Fame on Friday.
[ WATCH: Look back at Bill Walker's illustrious career at WSOC-TV ]
Walker began his Charlotte broadcasting career as a radio news anchor in 1968.
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[ IMAGES: Bill Walker through the years ]
He went on to become the longest-running news anchor in Charlotte history with WSOC-TV. Walker retired from WSOC-TV in 2005.
[ READ: A personal retirement message to viewers from Bill Walker ]
Walker interviewed a wide variety of newsmakers, including evangelist Billy Graham, late UNC basketball coach Dean Smith and chef Julia Child. Numerous political office holders and candidates reached WSOC-TV viewers through interviews with Walker, including Sam Ervin, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Wallace, Jesse Helms, Terry Sanford, Jim Hunt, John Edwards and George W. Bush.
[ WATCH: Bill Walker - 1994 Silver Circle Award ]
In 1976, Walker interviewed President Gerald Ford in the Oval Office at the White House.
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“I can truly say that I have always loved my work,” Walker said when he retired in 2005. “I am lucky to have worked with so many talented people over the years."
Former WSOC-TV and WBTV anchor Doug Mayes will also be a part of the inaugural class.
READ: Bill Walker's full bio
The Rev. Billy Graham will also be inducted. Graham is a Christian evangelist whose indoor and outdoor rallies were broadcast on radio and television.
The inaugural class will be announced during a special luncheon celebration at the Charlotte City Club.
WATCH: His Family: A Look At Bill Walker's support system
The Charlotte Broadcast Hall of Fame was conceptualized in 2010 by a group of Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) staff and community volunteers to honor the many individuals who have played a major role in the region's radio and television broadcasting history.
Charlotte ranks as the nation's 24th largest media market.