We will send an invite after you submit!
In memory of
William Perry Walton
-
-
-
In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Walton Memorial Scholarship.
Photo
William's obituary
William was educated through the 8th grade in one room schools, all of which had his mother Florence as a teacher. He then attended and graduated from Pittsfield High School.
As a young man, William was a farmer. He worked hard and loved raising both crops and livestock. That love never left him. Everywhere he ever lived he left behind roses, fruit trees, and garden plots.
William became a follower of his Lord, Jesus Christ at the age of 20 at the Rockport Christian Church. His intent was to be a farmer, but God had other plans.
William joined the United States Army and was trained to be a Military Policeman. After Basic Training and AIT, he served his entire active duty time at Camp Zama, in Japan. He enjoyed his time in the military and was very proud to have served. He also served for a time as an active, then an inactive reservist.
After leaving the active military, William enrolled in Lincoln Christian College, in Lincoln, Illinois. During freshmen orientation, he met a young woman. Besides being pretty, he said “She was a woman, not a girl.” This young woman, Shirley Brannin, became Shirley Walton on May 2, 1958. William died on April 17th, a few days before their 62nd wedding anniversary. Shirley was his lifelong partner in all things, including ministry.
While in college, William began preaching at the Christian Church in Rockport, Illinois, and soon was invited to preach for the Christian Church in New Hartford, Illinois as well. The churches timed things so he could preach at one and then drive to the other. He did this for several years. During this time the work of ministry became too great to do part time, so he dropped out of Lincoln to do ministry full time. Other full time ministries included churches in Waynesville, Missouri; Fisher, Illinois; Tucson, Arizona; and then a return to Waynesville, Missouri.
Much of the time that he was in ministry, William was also going to school. He finished his undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry & Education) at St. Louis Christian College. He went to seminary at Lincoln Christian Seminary and completed the Masters of Divinity program there. He went on to get a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling, with part of his schooling done at the University of Arizona, and completing his degree at Webster University. He then went to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he completed all the course work for their Doctor of Ministry program. He was a life-long learner. About a week before his death, his grandson Stephen asked him “Grandpa, what have you been reading lately?” He replied that he had been reading through various books of the Bible and had been rethinking some long held thoughts and opinions.
After becoming a Professor (Practical Ministries & Counseling) at Central Christian College of the Bible, in Moberly, Missouri, William traveled extensively with student outreach teams to churches all over the region. He also traveled during the summer to work in Christian service camps with summer camp teams.
When the Church in Rockport, Illinois, needed a weekend minister, he decided it was time to end his traveling for the college and do weekend Ministry while still working for the school. These ministries included Rockport Christian Church in Rockport, Illinois, New Galilee Christian Church near Troy, Missouri, and finally Philadelphia Christian Church in Philadelphia, Missouri, where he was ministering until his death.
William became an Adjunct Professor at Central Christian College of the Bible in 1979 and became a full time faculty member in 1980. The following year he was asked to also take on the role of Dean of Students. He was Dean of Students (later renamed Vice President of Student Development) for 25 years. In this role he worked tirelessly for the students he loved. He counseled them, disciplined them, fought for them and most of all, loved them. Many people in ministry today completed their studies because he was willing to give second chances. He instituted “Family Groups” at the school, which brought much joy to so many students. He and Shirley often hosted their family group, and many other “tag alongs” in their home. They also hosted gatherings for basketball teams, volleyball teams, and soccer teams. Their house was a house full of joy. Many of his former students would stop by the Walton house when in town as well.
After a while, the counseling classes started becoming more and more of William’s teaching load. He became head of the Counseling department and instituted the “Kingdom Counselors.” This was a chance for counseling students to get some “real world experience.” Under his supervision, many students learned to be counselors, while helping fellow students and others with their problems.
William had long worked to have a place for the students to relax and unwind. Over the years, three different areas were created and then taken over for other purposes. Finally, the Walton Student Center was built and named in honor of William & Shirley. The students finally had a place to call their own.
There are people who called William the “Iron Man.” While visiting his daughter Judy in central Florida in December of 2013, he received word that his grandson, Michael, was going to be ordained in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He drove from Davenport, Florida to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 2 ½ days to be there. He also fought through illnesses that should have killed him, numerous times. This January, William and Shirley went to their daughter Judy’s house for Christmas, then drove to their son John’s house to stay for the winter. A few days after arriving, William suffered a heart attack. It was treated, but about a month later he began fighting his old enemy, pneumonia. This time the battle was not to be won and he died on April 17th in Havasu Regional Medical center. His body was sent to Illinois for burial at the Samuel Taylor cemetery, just east of Rockport, Illinois. His body is buried near his father, mother, brother & sister. His brother who died in childbirth is buried just up the hill.
William leaves behind a legacy. His son, John, is in ministry. His daughter, Judy, is a counselor. Two of his 3 grandsons, Stephen and Michael Walton, are in ministry. One granddaughter, Michelle Walton, works for the state of Utah’s homeless program office. Judy’s children, Jadyn & Trent Grotjan are both high school students. Who knows what they will do for the Lord? John’s wife, Robin, received her degree in Christian Education at Central Christian College of the Bible, and has actively worked in every church where John has served. Judy’s husband Ron Grotjan is a Christian man who loves his Lord, and is active in his church. In addition to his work as a golf instructor, he impacts young lives by coaching youth sports.
In addition to William’s family legacy, there is a huge group of people whose lives he touched. Many of these he touched directly, through ministry, teaching, counseling and just caring about people. But there is a far greater number whom he touched indirectly. The students he helped to train, the people in the churches where he preached and taught, have spread all over the world to share Jesus with so many others. In life, William never knew how many lives he touched. Perhaps now he does.
William will be greatly missed. But he lives on in the lives of those he worked so hard to help.
Send to someone
Share this obituary with others
Want to stay updated?
Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.
In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Walton Memorial Scholarship.
In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Walton Memorial Scholarship.
Share this memorial website
How you can help
Share with others
Donate in memory
Created with love by
Advancement Department.
