'In the arms of our Savior': Stratford Academy mourns student killed by lightning strike Walker Bethune was the incoming senior class president, and a member of the school's cross country and track team Author: Molly Jett (13WMAZ) Updated: 6:12 PM EDT July 29, 2021 MACON, Ga. — The Stratford Academy community and many across Central Georgia are mourning the death of rising senior Walker Bethune. He was struck by lightning nearly two weeks ago on a Florida beach, and died Wednesday night at a hospital in Miami. According to a post on his CaringBridge page, the 17-year-old died peacefully while listening to one of his favorite Allman Brothers songs, "Soulshine."