Sep. 10, 1917 - July 17, 2013
Edwin (Ed) Elmer Walton, Sr. was born on September 10, 1917 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Charles and Lillian Walton. He graduated from high school in Green Bay and enlisted in the Army in 1943. He was assigned to an infantry regiment as a radio/communications lineman. His deployments included New Guinea, Luzon, the Philippines, the Netherlands and the East Indies. During his service he was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal, a Victory Medal and an additional Bronze Star Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He enjoyed civilian life for the following two years employed as a purser on one of the Mississippi steamboats before re-enlisting in the military in 1947 - this time into the Air Force where he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. his duties included supervision of the switchboard operators and he was also a news reporter for his battalion.
While stationed in El Paso, Texas he met and married his wife, Florence (known to her friends as Jerry), on March 30, 1949. They met on a blind date, it was love at first sight and they were married three weeks later in Juarez, New Mexico. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1951. After his discharge he moved his family to Santa Monica, California where he was employed as a limousine driver for the Yellow Cab Company. Some of his favorite stories involved the celebrities and movie stars that he met and chauffeured. He was a Boy Scout troop leader in his spare time, organizing jamborees and camping trips.
In 1963, he moved his growing family to Coleville, California where he and Jerry purchased a motel and they settled in to enjoy a slower, country lifestyle. In addition to running and maintaining the motel he was also employed by Mono County: maintaining the local camping grounds and the local town refuse pits and providing janitorial service for the Antelope Valley Elementary School.
He was a very busy man and enjoyed meeting and greeting everyone on his rounds throughout the valley. His friendly and giving nature made him many life-long friends in a very short time. In 1971, Ed and Jerry sold the motel and Ed went to work for Bently Nevada Corporation in Minden, NV. He retired in 1979. During his lifetime, Ed was never an idle man. In addition to the occupations listed above he also squeezed in employment as (in no particular chronological order): a milkman, a pest extermination, a train vendor and an amusement park vendor. During his life in Coleville, he was also very active in the American Legion, Daniel Sartoris Post 224. When he relaxed he enjoyed raising pigeons, chickens and rabbits, and fishing in Lake Topaz and the small irrigation ditches that criss-cross Antelope Valley.
In 1994, his wife, Jerry, passed away and Ed was fortunate to be healthy and strong enough to live on his own until May of 2012 when his family relocated him to Carson City, NV. In November 2012 he moved into Sierra Place in Carson City where he enjoyed much love, friendship and attention. The family also thanks St. Mary’s Hospice who helped to make his last weeks comfortable. Ed passed away on July 17, 2013 peacefully in his sleep. He will truly be missed. God rest your soul, Big Daddy, you have earned it.
Ed had six children: Jack D. Walton, Sandra L. Juehring (Robert, both deceased), Edwin E. Walton, Jr. (Kay), Terry L. Walton, Wendy W. Kawchack (Tony), Barbara K. Eiché (John); eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held August 3, 2013 at 11:00 a. m. at the
Methodist Church in Coleville, CA (located between the Coleville High School and Coleville Post Office).
