William E. Orton

Bill Orton, 82, peacefully passed away in Georgetown, Texas. Bill is preceded in his death by his parents, Ellsworth, and Mary Orton (nee Foehr), his son, Scott, his brother, Tom and his maternal aunt, Maude Houlihan (nee Jeffery) and her husband, Byron who raised Bill and his brother Tom after their parents passed away. 

Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Diana Jean Orton; sons Chris and his wife Mary Ann, Craig and his wife Vonda, Curtis and his wife Julie; seven grandchildren and their spouses Billy and Stephanie, Samantha and Miles, Byron, Alex and Kara, Colby and Karina, Hailey and Nakia, and Isabella.  Eleven great-grandchildren Evan, Ryder, Charli, Parker, Noah, Riley, Annie, Brixton, Kingston, Diana June, and Carson.  

Bill was born in Detroit, Michigan and baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church. He then attended Lutheran High East where he met his wife to be Diana. They began dating in 10th grade and were destined to be together from the beginning. Bill also received the title “Mr. Basketball” as he set several school records while playing basketball.  

After high school Bill decided he wanted to serve his country, so he enlisted in the U.S. Army in June of 1960. Bill completed basic training and was excited to be sent to Honolulu, Hawaii where he served proudly there for 3 years as a military police officer. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart on March 17, 1962. In 1963 he was then transferred to Ft. Knox, Kentucky where he served three more years before being honorably discharged in 1966. 

After serving his country he decided to continue a servant mindset and he joined the police department in Detroit, Michigan. He served the community of Detroit from 1967-1981 in the Detroit police department. As a police officer he served in many capacities such as patrol officer and later as a racket conspiracy investigator where he investigated illegal gambling. After a 3-year hiatus of working in law enforcement he later became a jailer in Travis County, Texas. He worked there from 1984-2003. Overall, he served in one form of law enforcement or another for 30 years. 

After officially retiring from law enforcement Bill continued with his servant mindset and began volunteering for meals on wheels. He spent twelve years as a volunteer where he delivered meals to the elderly on a weekly basis to the elderly in the community.   

Finally, if anyone knows Bill, they know that his life literally revolved around his 3 sons, their wives, his seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. It would have been interesting if 38 years ago when their first grandchild was born, they would have started keeping track of the miles and time they spent going to birthdays, sporting events, programs, and so much more. He and Diana did everything they could to support their family. Many lives have been changed because of Bill and the morals and work ethic that was instilled because of him. He will be greatly missed, but who he was as a husband, father, and grandfather will be carried on for generations to come! 

The family will hold a public visitation on Sunday, February 16th at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel at 393 North IH 35 (Westside Service Road) in Georgetown, Texas from 4:30 – 6:30 pm. 

Bill’s family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care provided by the health care providers and staff at Wesleyan Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Georgetown. The care provided by them to Bill was loving, patient, kind, respectful and so much more. We could not have expected more for Bill in his ending days. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Georgetown Meals on Wheels or Faith Lutheran Church.