William E. Alton

William E. 'Billy' Alton, 89, of Mexico, died Monday, March 6, 2017, at Missouri Veterans Home where he had been for a short time. Billy was born in Plymouth, Ill. on May 9, 1927, son of Hugh and Zelma (Major) Alton. On Aug. 19, 1950, in Mexico, he married Doris Ruth Dilts who survives. Mr. Alton was a veteran of the Army Air Force. He served with the 1102nd Base Unit during World War II from 1945 to 1947. He worked for A.P. Green Refractories for over 41 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He loved hunting, Black Angus cattle farming, and dancing. In addition to his wife Doris, survivors include: two sons, William 'Bill' Alton II, of Cairo, Mo., and Steve Alton and wife Denise, of Mexico; eight grandchildren, Ryan Alton and wife Amy, of Jacksonville, Mo., Lindsay Groteweil, Columbia, Nathan Alton, Columbia, Ashley Oestreich and husband Gavin, of Blair, Neb., Arica Walker and husband Cody, Mexico, Aimee Pashia and husband Caleb, Mexico, Andrew Alton and wife Sarah, Mexico, and Ariana Stankovic and husband Milos, Hannibal; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Howard Alton; and two sisters, Opal Payne, and Margie Moore. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Mexico with Pastor Ron Case and Kent Haden officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 12 noon until service time at the church. Committal service will follow at Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Jacksonville, Mo. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church. They can be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265. Expressions of sympathy may be given at pickeringfh.com