Bill Calton's Obituary
Bill G. Calton, son of Floyd C. and Nora McMillen Calton, was born May 9, 1927, near Morgan, Missouri. He departed this life Saturday, August 27, 2011, in St. John?s Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years, three months, and eighteen days.
On September 27, 1968, he was united in marriage to Rowena Linnell Tennison, and they shared the last forty-two years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Willa Belle Rose Dickson; two brothers, Clodus and Jim Calton; a sister, Freida Green; and a great-great-grandson, Gavin.
Bill is survived by his wife, Rowena, of the home; six daughters, Diana Conn, and her husband, Kenny, of La Porte, Indiana, Patty Pendergrass, and her husband, Ralph, Marilyn Pendergrass, and her husband, Jeff, Janie Waterman, and her husband, David, Jeanie Steiro, and her husband, Mike, and Julie Miller, and her husband, Jonathan, all of Lebanon, Missouri; five sons, Bruce Calton, and his wife, Jennifer, and John Calton, and his wife, Tonia, all of Grovespring, Missouri, Rick Calton, and his wife, Cheryl, of Lebanon, Missouri, Terry Calton, and his wife, Marcia, and Floyd Calton, and his wife, Karyn, all of Conway, Missouri; thirty-two grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Charles Calton, of Conway, Missouri, and Gary Calton, and his wife, Joetta, of Phillipsburg, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in the Morgan community, and then moved with his family to Nebraska. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army as part of the Military Police from January 26, 1946, until August 8, 1947, during World War II. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he lived for a time in Indiana, but then returned to Laclede County in 1968. Once he and Rowena were married, they made their home near Grovespring, Missouri, and lovingly raised their family. Throughout the years, Bill worked as a contractor and as a maintenance worker for the H. D. Lee Company.
Bill followed the Primitive Baptist faith, and was prepared to meet his Maker.
In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, caring for his home, land, and watching NASCAR. His greatest joy came from his family, and their get togethers. He was always a ?clown? and especially at Halloween. His family and friends felt that if you couldn?t have a good time around Bill, then you couldn?t have a good time!
Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his lif
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