Will Geer was born William Aughe Ghere on March 9, 1902, but changed the spelling of his name in the early 1920s and became better known as “Grandpa Walton” of the Walton’s TV fame in the 1970s. Geer graduated Frankfort High School in 1919 and went on to the University of Chicago on a horticultural scholarship. After graduating in 1924, he became involved with theatrical companies and his acting career flourished, appearing in movies and television until his death in April 22, 1978.