Ronald Edwin Layton

He has gone to his forever home with his Creator and Savior. We take comfort in knowing that he is experiencing the glory of heaven.

Ron was born in East St. Louis, Illinois on January 8, 1934 to James Otto and Edna Rachel Rankin Layton. He was preceded in death by his father, James Otto Layton; mother, Edna Rankin Layton; brothers Robert Layton, Norman Layton, and Jerry Layton; sisters Jean Diesel, Ruth Schneider, Patsy Deters, Marian Brown, and Norma Layton.

He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Dorothy “Dot” Layton; two daughters, Rhonda Onisile and Jennifer Evans (Burke); five grandchildren he loved dearly, Justin Onisile, Kyle Onisile, Ashley Onisile, Nathan Evans, and Amelia Evans; and a sister, Jan Layton Stoll.

First and foremost, Ron was a devoted follower of Jesus. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior later in life but it turned out to be a decision that completely changed him, changed his family, and leaves a lasting legacy. He was a faithful husband, loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coworker, and friend to many. We were all recipients of his deep commitment and loyalty to God and family. Ron was a strong, yet quiet and gentle man. He had a smile that could light up the room. His words were few, but often meaningful and impactful. The Lord blessed him with unspeakable wisdom.

Ron served our country as a Private in the Air Force and retired from Granite City Steel in 1999 after working for 42 years. After retiring, Ron and Dot moved to Hot Springs Village, AR and eventually moved to Phoenix, AZ to begin their life as grandparents, one of their most rewarding seasons. Ron loved being a grandpa, a pa pa.

Gifted with a gentle and quiet spirit and a generous heart, Ron would do anything for anyone. He always put the wants and needs of others before his own. He loved the Word of God and prayed without ceasing. With a heart that overflowed with gratitude, he could often be heard giving praise to God for even the smallest things. He lived a life that modeled love, patience, loyalty, genuine kindness, faithfulness, sacrifice, and humility.

Ron lived a long and full life. He was a blessed man whose life blessed others. We rejoice that he is now experiencing the glory of heaven but we miss him dearly. We are grateful for the countless memories we can cherish forever.

Praise the LORD!

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

who greatly delights in his commandments!

His offspring will be mighty in the land;

the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house,

and his righteousness endures forever.

Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;

he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;

who conducts his affairs with justice.

For the righteous will never be moved;

he will be remembered forever.

He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,

until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever;

his horn is exalted in honor.

Psalm 112:1-9

Military funeral honors, including the playing of Taps and the folding and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin, is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025 at 1:00pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona located at 2929 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024. No service will be held but friends and family will have the opportunity to speak at the conclusion of the military funeral honors.

In lieu of sending flowers, some ways you can honor the life and legacy of Ron Layton would be to consider paying it forward with random acts of kindness, taking time to read the Bible, or donating to the National Brain Tumor Society or Hospice of the Valley.