The Dead Page- Part 2: Wal-Mart and Bobby "Boris"

HELEN WALTON- One of world's richest women, wife of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton.

1919-2007- Helen Walton died April 19, 2007, at her home. She was born in Claremore, Okla., on Dec. 3, 1919 and graduated from the Univ. of Oklahoma with a finance degree. She met her future husband, Sam Walton, in 1942 and were married on St. Valentine's Day, 1943.

In 1945, the couple moved to Newport, Ark., where they opened a Ben Franklin Five and Dime store. In 1950, they moved to Bentonville, Ark, and in 1962, opened their first Wal-Mart in nearby Rogers. Today, this is the largest retailer in the world with over 6,500 stores in 15 countries with headquarters still in Bentonville.

Members of the Walton family continually make the Forbes list of wealthiest people. This past March, she was listed as the 29th richest individual in the world with $16.4 billion. Her three surviving children are ahead of her on the list.

She was well-known for her philanthropy. As president of the Walton Family Foundation in 2002, a $200 million gift was given to the Univ. of Arkansas. Earlier, they gave another $50 million to the school for the Sam M. Walton School of Business.

She also set up a Walton Scholars for the children of Wal-Mart employees and 150 scholarships are given annually.

Wal-Marts and Sam's Clubs have had a huge impact on the US and the world. Have you ever seen a Wal Mart where the parking lot was essentially empty. This is quite a self-made story.


BOBBY "BORIS" PICKETT- Creator of "Monster Mash"

1938-2007- Bobby "Boris" Pickett died April 21, 2007. He is best know for the Halloween classic "Monster Mash" where his "dead-on", sorry about that, Boris Karloff impression took the song all the way to Number 1 in 1962.

How many of you can remember the words: "He did the the monster mash...it was a ________ smash." Now, I'm singing this song in my head.

He also had a Christmas song about these strange assemblage called "Monster's Holiday."

One of my favorite all-time songs. Remember the "cryptkicker ____." "Whatever happened to ___________."

--It Was a Graveyard Smash, You Know.  --RoadDog