(CNN) -- Like he does every week, Chris Hardwick hosted "Talking Dead" on Sunday night -- but this time, he was coping with a heartbreaking loss. 

His father, Billy Hardwick, died of an apparent heart attack a day earlier. 

Chris Hardwick, who hosts the aftershow for AMC's most-watched series, "Walking Dead," said he decided to continue with his duties because it was an appreciated distraction. 

He said he was grateful that he had a chance to tell his 72-year-old father that he loved him, and encouraged viewers to appreciate their families. 

Billy Hardwick was a Hall of Fame bowler who also appeared on his son's podcast, nerdist. 

"My dad was my favorite podcast guest. He was amazingly open and it brought us closer," Chris Hardwick tweeted Saturday. 

According to the Professional Bowling Association, Billy Hardwick's career took off after "one of the greatest turnarounds in professional bowling history." 

He went from a rookie in 1962 to winning four titles the next season. 

After he retired, he opened Billy Hardwick's All-Star Lanes in Memphis, Tennessee. 

People we lost in 2013 

CNN's Susan Candiotti contributed to this report. 


What Chris hosted?
On which day?
How often?
Why he is sad?
When?
How old was he?
What was his name?
What was his profession?
Did he attend in his son's shows?
In what show?
What format was it?
When was he a rookie?
Then what happened next season?
After retirement what he did?
Where?
What year he died?
Who contributed to this story?
In which network?
How did he die?
Did his son continue with his usual duties after that?
"Talking Dead"
 hosted "Talking Dead"
on Sunday night
on Sunday night
weekly
Like he does every week
His father died
His father, Billy Hardwick, died
a day earlier
 a day earlier
72
72-year-old
Billy Hardwick
Billy Hardwick 
Billy Hardwick was a Hall of Fame bowler
Billy Hardwick was a Hall of Fame bowler who also appeared on his son's podcast, nerdist. 
yes
appeared on his son's podcast, nerdist
nerdist
podcast, nerdist
podcast
 podcast, nerdist
1962
a rookie in 1962
won four titles
 winning four titles the next season
opened Billy Hardwick's All-Star Lanes
opened Billy Hardwick's All-Star Lanes
Memphis, Tennessee
in Memphis, Tennessee
2013
ost in 2013
Susan Candiotti

CNN's Susan Candiotti contributed to this report. 
CNN
CNN's
apparent heart attack
 apparent heart attack
yes
continue with his duties because it was an appreciated distraction