Billy “Bill” Norton was born December 9, 1928 in Englevale, Kansas, to parents Horace and Lula Belle (Zornes) Norton, the youngest of five boys and one girl all of whom are now deceased. Bill passed away at home on July 21, 2010, after a long battle with lung diseases including cancer. His wife and four children were with him, as well as his wonderful friend and pastor Dick Sanders. He graduated in 1946 from Arcadia Kansas High School. In 1947 he came to Richland to visit his brother, Marvin “Shorty” Norton, and then stayed in Richland for the rest of his life. On October 7, 1947, he went to work for General Electric and later Battelle, partially retiring in 1989, but continued consulting until he finally turned in his badge in January 1998 50 years and 3 months later!
Bill married Betty (Bell) Norton on January 17, 1954, and they had four children, Kay (Chip) Hass, Kathryn Norton, Steve (Denise Ciarlo) Norton, and Paula Henry, as well as daughter-in-law Sue Roper, and good family friend, Mark Kennedy. Their five granddaughters are Reanna Norwood, Beth (John) Mata, Jessica Henry, Crystal Williamson and Melissa (Lonnie) Black. Great-grandchildren are Jacob, Justice, Jada, Derrick, Devin, Gavin, Adrian, Jamie, Robbie, Madison, Austin, Sierra, Elise and Caelan. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Dianne Bell, Margaret Norton, and Joan Norton; brother-in-law, John (Karen) Bell; nephews Jim (Carolyn) Norton, Tom (Bonnie) Norton, Gene (MariAnn) Norton, and Joe (Barbara) Norton.
In December 1950 he was drafted into the Army, spending 18 months in Germany as a supply sergeant in the 94th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, “C” Battery, where he made many wonderful friends.
Bill loved his large family get-togethers and watching the young ones growing up. He was an avid golfer and loved to fish and camp with his family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at Einan’s Chapel at Swift and Richland Bypass on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name may be made to Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 @. Ential, Kennewick, WA 99336 or to your favorite charity.
The family invites you to express your thoughts and memories in the online guestbook at www.EinansFuneralHome.com.
