William Morrison Barton Jr.

William (Bill) Barton, Jr., 92, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Vermillion, SD, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2015. Bill was born December 2, 1922 in Vermillion to William Morrison Barton, Sr. and Ethel Miller Barton. He graduated from Vermillion High School in 1940. In 1943, he graduated from the University of South Dakota with a B.A. in Fine Arts. Bill was called to duty in the US Army in 1942 where he served in the European Theater during World War II. He was discharged in 1945. After the war, Bill accepted the position of Supervisor of Instrumental Music for the Huron, SD school district. The following year he joined the family business at the Thompson Lumber Company in Vermillion. During this time, he was president of the Vermillion Chamber of Commerce and president of the South Dakota Lumberman’s Association. In 1970, the businesses were sold and then Bill worked for the Patz Company selling farm equipment to dealers. He also sold Harvesters for A.O. Smith. He retired to Mesa in 1986. He enjoyed his passions for golf and playing his trumpet. Survivors include his wife of 50 years Helen (Beeson) Barton of Mesa and his three daughters Barbara Theobald of Bourbonnais, IL, Billie Ketchum (Michael) of Sarona, WI and Kathy Caekaert (Chino) of Rapid City, SD. Also surviving are 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Margaret “Peg” Jorgenson, one son Alan Barton and one grandchild Michael Smith. A private family memorial will take place on April 29, 2015 in Mesa.