William "Bill" Riddell Barton

William "Bill" Riddell Barton, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather left this world on July 10, 2018. The first of five children of Alpha Riddell Barton and Lurlene Laws, Bill was born on May 28, 1930, in Monticello, Utah.

Bill enjoyed growing up with his brothers and sisters in Monticello surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. His life took a dramatic turn in 1942 when his mother passed away, leaving his father to raise five children ages 6 months to 12 years old. Since Bill was the oldest, he was responsible for helping to care for the younger children. An early Christmas present came in 1945 when his father married Bernetta Garner and the family moved to Salt Lake City. Bernetta took over the care of the family, providing a secure home for the children. When the family expanded with two more brothers, Bernetta was an angel who loved all the children equally.

While attending East High School, Bill began his military career when he joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in 1948. Through his association with ROTC, he met and fell in love with his future wife, DeAnn Atkinson. They were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on March 20, 1952.

Bill was a self-made man. His father taught him the carpentry trade as well as self-reliance, and Bill used those skills to put himself through the University of Utah. By the time he graduated in 1958 with a degree in Civil Engineering, he and DeAnn had four children.

He was blessed with a sharp, inquisitive mind, and loved learning about new things. He was an avid reader with a particular love for United States History, World War II, and the history and biographies of the LDS Church and its leaders. His interest in history carried over to a love of genealogy and the history of the Barton Family. He gave wonderful accounts of our ancestors several generations back – including Utah Pioneers who helped settled the state.

Although Bill was a substantive, knowledgeable man, he also had the gift of a quick wit, and he looked for humor in every situation. Sometimes his humor could stray to the irreverent side, but he always made people laugh. We all loved him for this!

He was a spiritual man and a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served in many positions over the years, including being a leader in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. His biggest joy was spending time with his brothers and sisters, large extended family, and his children and grandchildren and all their friends.

Bill led a full, happy, and productive life. He often said had worked more than 100 years, concurrently. He was an Estimating Engineer and Vice President of Alder Construction for 35 years; he served 35 years in the United States Air Force and Utah Air National Guard, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; and he built and managed an apartment business with DeAnn for 35 years.

He and DeAnn loved to entertain people. They spent much of their time making memories for their friends and family while camping, boating, and water skiing. They were always teaching children, grandchildren, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, and anyone else they could coax into the water, how to water ski and drive the boat.

Bill and DeAnn also adored traveling. They traveled all over the United States, as well as to Egypt, China, Mexico, Russia, Europe, and the Bahamas. Bill also loved organizing special trips to take the grandchildren to see the tourist attractions in Utah.

He is survived by his daughters, Debra Nordfelt and Teri (Rob) Shaw; son, Dave (Anne) Barton; brothers Rex (Marty Ann) Barton and Kirk (Firlene) Barton; 9 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, James Riddell Barton; brothers Clark Laws Barton and James Kay Barton; sisters Dawn Barton and Mary Jane (Marty) Vuyk; and grandsons, James William Barton and Michael Barton Nordfelt.

We will celebrate his life and legacy on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 11:00 am at the LDS chapel at 165 S 1000 E, Bountiful. Interment will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to a viewing prior to the service at the LDS chapel from 9:45-10:45 AM. There will also be a viewing on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Russon Mortuary, 295 N Main, Bountiful.