Willard B. Walton

Norfolk — Willard Barton Walton, 84, of Norfolk, formerly of O'Neill, died Monday, July 17, 2023 at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk.

Visitation was held Friday, July 21, 2023 at Westridge United Methodist Church in Norfolk.

Memorial funeral services were held Friday, July 21, 2023 at the church in Norfolk. Rev. Donna Goltry officiated.

Burial was in the Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk was in charge of the arrangements.

Willard was born on May 4, 1939, to Barton and Leta Maude (Keller) Walton in O'Neill, one of 12 children. He attended school in O'Neill.

In 1957 he married Frances Kelly in Burke, SD. 

The couple soon moved to Denver,  CO where Willard worked construction for a few years. In 1961 the couple moved back to Nebraska, settling in Madison where they would live together for 50 years.  

Willard worked at Felco Gas Station in Madison and then at Mimmick Motors, where he worked for 35 years, proudly serving as service manager, before retiring. 

In 2006, Willard and Francie moved to Norfolk. 

Willard was a gifted mechanic and woodworker. He would make his children sleds, furniture for their Barbie dolls and even built them a mini replica of the kitchen in their own home. He loved the outdoors and would spend as much time camping, fishing and hunting with his brother Larry as possible. Family time was very important to him. 

Willard was involved with the Madison Jaycees and helped construct the original Madison Fairgrounds.

Willard is survived by his wife of 65 year Francie; four children Cindy (Clayton) Amiot, Kathy (Mike) Dreger, Robert Walton and Lori (Dan) Warner; one sister Connie (Leonard “Snooks”) Peterson; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 10 siblings.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.homeforfuneralsinc.com.