James Walton

He was born Aug. 25, 1932, in Hayti, Mo., to John and Annie (Bradley) Walton. He married Velma E. Jones on May 11, 1967, in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Darrell (Sandra) Jones of Hayward, Calif.; one daughter, Zina Walton of Peoria; one stepson, Charles (Roxanne) McGhee of Peoria; one brother, John Walton of Peoria; six grandchildren, Dwayne Harris of Rockford, Darrell Jones Jr. of Peoria, Walter (Jennifer) Lewis of Oakland, Calif., Mathias Anderson of Hayward, Calif., Jamiahus Walton of Peoria and Resa Jones of Hayward, Calif.; four great-grandchildren, Darrell Jones III of Peoria, Destiny Lewis of Oakland, Calif., Devonte Lewis of Oakland, Calif., and Naivasha Harris of Mobile, Ala.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Robert (Linda) Howard of Macomb, Ill., Virginia McBride of Davenport, Iowa, Lola Howard of Quincy, Ill., Bessie Brown of Davenport, Iowa, James Howard of Davenport, Iowa, John Howard of Davenport, Iowa, Danny (Verlina) Howard of Davenport, Iowa, Connie Howard of Davenport, Iowa, Bonnie Rolandt of Davenport, Iowa, Janet Jenkins of Davenport, Iowa, Archie Howard of Quincy, Ill., Vera Howard of Davenport, Iowa, Donna Reese of Davenport, Iowa, Carla Bass of Davenport, Iowa, and Marla Clarke of Davenport, Iowa; special niece, Edna Hartfield of Chicago, Ill.; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A special thanks to his personal assistant, Marleen Edwards from Advocates for Access, who made the way for him to spend his final days at home with his family, and his two volunteer caregivers, grandson, Dwayne Harris and niece, Angela Burrage.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and four sisters.

James worked many years for Peoria Malleable and also Allied Agency, where he retired.

He was a Korean War veteran and member of the Peoria American Legion.

James was an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor and Red Hat Spouse, Too Sexy.

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Friday, July 15, 2011, at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel. Visitation will be two hours prior to services at the chapel on Friday. Entombment will be in Chapel of Peace in Parkview Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel, Peoria, IL.