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Francis Wilard Norton passed away on Monday, Dec. 10 at the LaCanada Care Center in Tucson. “Bill,” as his friends knew him, was born in Dodge City, Minnesota, on May 28, 1921.
Following his high school graduation, from Yakima Valley Adventist Academy, Bill worked at various jobs, including landscaping and logging, in the states of Washington Oregon and California. During his years as a logger, he experienced several serious accidents. Bill felt that heavenly angels were the only reason that he survived. These life-saving experiences were the inspiration for the book he authored, entitled ‘Angels Watching Over Me.’.
In 1972, he married Dorislee Erickson and moved to San Manuel in 2001. Here, they both became active members of the Oracle Seventh Day Adventist Church. Bill served as an elder for several years, and as an accomplished musician, played, simultaneously, the guitar and harmonica. He later joined a country gospel called ‘The Red Shirts’.
Bill will always be remembered as a friendly, Christian gentleman who loved riding his bicycle, baking fresh lemon pies and sharing them with his church family and neighbors.
Preceding Bill in death is his father, mother and sister. He leaves his wife Dorislee, his son Marvin Norton, niece Lola May Worth and nephew Ed Norton, as well as many friends.
Those who had the privilege of knowing Bill will miss him very much.
Upon Bill’s request, there will be no memorial service. Should donations be given, the family requests they be sent “in memory of Bill Norton” to the Holbrook Adventist Indian school, 2001 McLaws Rd., PO Box 910, Holbrook, Arizona 86025
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