Wilbert'Willie' Norton

Wilbert "Willie" Norton TIPTON, Iowa--Wilbert "Willie" Norton, of Tipton, 89, went from his earthly home to be with his Savior on Thursday, December 20, 2012. Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 24, 2012, at Calvary Church, Muscatine. Interment will be at 9 a.m. on Monday, December 24, 2012, at the Whitmer Family Cemetery, Sugar Creek Township, Cedar County, Iowa. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at Calvary Church, Muscatine. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Calvary Church, Muscatine. The Bentley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Willie was born on May 18, 1923, to Griff and Lela Whitmer Norton on a farm east of Wilton. He graduated from Wilton High School in 1941. He married Rachel Lois Larson on March 17, 1946. Willie farmed all his life at Clover Hill, a homesteaded family farm. He enjoyed sports, especially baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals, gardening, and nature. His generous and gentle spirit endeared him to young and old alike. He genuinely loved people and knew the birthdays of all family and many friends. He was a very special Papa Willie with all six...[more]

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n grandchildren, their spouses and 40 great grandchildren. He thoroughly enjoyed having them around. He was a member of Calvary Church, Muscatine, where he served in KidZone with 2-3 year olds. Those family members left on earth to celebrate his memory include his wife, Rachel Norton of Tipton; four children, Becky Bradfield and husband, Randy, of rural Tipton, Lea Schoepf and husband, Dan, of Muscatine, Bill Norton and wife, Debbie, of rural Tipton, and Tom Norton and wife, Diane, of Muscatine; 16 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; one brother, Mel Norton and wife, Mary, of Wilton; one sister, Margie Knowles of Momence, Illinois; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Corwin and Jim; and a grandson, Jason Guyer.