James R. Walton

Mr. James R. Walton, 80, of Morris, passed away early Sunday morning, Nov. 22, 2009, at his home after losing a battle with Mesothelioma.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at the First United Methodist Church in Morris with Rev. Deb Percell officiating.

Interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Fruland Funeral Home, 121 W. Jefferson St., in Morris.

Born Feb. 27, 1929, in McComas, W.V., James was the son of James and Ellen (Gaither) Walton. He graduated from McComas High School and later attended engineering school.

James was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He married Betty Bailey on Sept. 21, 1949, in Bluefield, Va. They lived most of their married life in Morris. He was employed at Aurora Caterpillar Tractor Company and the Joliet Arsenal. He was also employed for more than 25 years at the Morris Hospital.

Survivors include his three sons, Kirby (Paulette) Walton of Anderson, Ind., Randy Walton of Morris and Duanne Walton of Morris; three grandchildren, Alexandra and Phillip Walton and Erica (Roy) Salcido; four great-grandchildren, Joseph and Aria Grandadas, Ashley Williams and Aneiah Salcido; two sisters, Kay May of Maryland and Donna (Randall) Hamilton of W.V.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty, on March 11, 2008; one son, Kenneth, in infancy; and three sisters, Jacquilyne Alverson, Sandra Sparks and Barbara Richardson.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and M&M Group at First Christian Church. He was also proud of the 36,000 hours he volunteered at the Morris Hospital Lifeline and Patient Transportation Service.

Fruland Funeral Home, 121 W. Jefferson St., Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call 815-942-0700 or sign the online guestbook at www.frulandfuneralhome.com.