Master Walter John van Billiard was born in France, on 28 February 1903, the younger son of Austin Blyer van Billiard and Maude Murray.

Walter boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third class passenger , together with his father and brother James

Walter lost his life in the sinking. His body, was identified by the Red Cross as the very first to be recovered by the MacKay Bennett¹.

The body was returned to Halifax and, following communication on 2 May, were forwarded two days later to North Wales, Pennsylvania. Walter van Billiard at his father were buried at Union Cemetery, Zion Lutheran Church, Flourtown, Pennsylvania.