Thomas James Walton

Born January 29, 1931 in Chicago to Thomas Ray and Rachel Alice (Byrnes) Walton, he married Beverly June “Bev” Copeland on June 9, 1951 in Creve Coeur. She died July 15, 2020 in Peoria. He also was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Joyce Goodhart.

Surviving are three children, Linda (Stan) Biggs of Creve Coeur, Mike (Stephanie) Walton of Creve Coeur and Becky (Troy) Farrow of New Braunfels, Texas; 14 grandchildren, Brian (Kelly) Wilson of Creve Coeur, Burt (Debbie) Wilson of Smyrna, Tennessee, Amber (Brian) Scudder) Wilson, Kerry (Dave) Grove, both of Creve Coeur, Jeremiah (Laura) Walton of East Peoria, Nicole Crawford of East Peoria, Brett (Melissa) Walton of Metamora, Andrew (Lindsey) Veerman of College Station, Texas, Christopher (Ashlynn) Veerman of New Braunfels, Ryan (Amber) Biggs of Peoria, Tim (Jennifer) Biggs of Pekin, Matt (Richel) Biggs of Peoria, Zack Preston of Creve Coeur and Cody (Sara) Farrow of Ft. Worth, Texas; 18 great-grandchildren and one sister, Diane Clemons of Grafton, Wisconsin. He also leaves his special companion, Missy.

He had served in the United States Army.

Tom worked at Caterpillar, Inc. for 42 years as an Engineer, retiring in 1991.

He loved spending time with his family. He also loved fishing and golfing. He built and helped family race pinewood derby cars.

Tom was a longtime and active member of Bethel Memorial United Church of Christ in Creve Coeur. He also was a member of Frank Nicol Lodge 1170, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in Creve Coeur. He served the Village of Creve Coeur on the Sewer Board and was a member and past president of the Creve Coeur School Board of Education.

His private funeral and visitation will be Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur. Pastor John Plunkett will officiate. Burial will follow in Roberts Cemetery in Morton, with military rites accorded by the United States Army and the Tazewell Military Rites Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Bethel Memorial United Church of Christ, 201 South Main Street, Creve Coeur, Illinois 61610 or to Hooked on Fishing, 1807 North Main Street, East Peoria, Illinois 61611.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com