Willard Norton

Willard Dean Norton, 78, of Fort Collins, went to his eternal home March 24, 2006, at Poudre Valley Hospital. A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Timberline Church, 2908 S. Timberline Road. A graveside service with military honors by the Fort Collins All Veterans Honor Guard will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Grandview Cemetery. Willard was born Nov. 14, 1927, in Athol, Kan., the son of Melvin Norton and Ethel Billings Norton. He grew up in a farming community in Nebraska and was a veteran in the Korean War. He married Gladys Williams after returning from the service in 1948. He lived in Franklin, Neb., and moved to Holdredge, Neb., where he farmed. He loved the country life and farming and loved looking at the fields and the crops. In 1957, the moved to Colorado and in 1960, he started Norton Feed Service. For many years he again enjoyed the agriculture life until 1985. In 1984, he worked for Diamond Shamrock gas stations. Willard was a member of the American Legion George Beach Post No. 4, the Moose Lodge No. 275 and enjoyed traveling, RVing, fishing, boating and spending time with his family. He loved his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gladys Norton; his son, Dennis Norton and daughter-in-law, Barb; his daughter, Trudy Niesent and son-in-law, Danny; his aunt, Pearl Weller; grandchildren, Chad and Nikki Norton and Danielle and Chris Niesent; two great-grandchildren, Anthony Niesent and Thomas Graves; several cousins; numerous other relatives and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. Willard will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Larimer County or Timberline Church in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.