William Butler Barton

William Butler Barton, 89, of Rockford passed away March 15, 2009 at Wesley Willows. Born July 9, 1919 in Centerville, Iowa the son of Joseph and Viola (Butler) Barton. Bill worked as a manager and buyer on the sporting goods floor at the Chicago Marshall Fields Store for Men until 1973. He was the assistant store manager at the Cherry Vale Marshall Fields when it opened until his retirement in 1984. Bill served in the U.S. Navy from 1941-1945. He served on board a Destroyer Escort through the Mediterranean, North Atlantic and the Pacific campaigns. Bill was a member and a Deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was also the past Director of Kiwanis, a Juvenile Court Volunteer and the former president of the Condominium board at the Cloisters. Survivors include his sons Michael (Edith) and Richard Barton, daughters Mary (Edmund) Durfee and Ann (Jeremiah Madden) Barton. Grandchildren Annmarie Hickman, William Barton, Patricia Barton, Kirsten Barton, Emily Durfee, David Durfee and many great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, daughter Antoinette and his brothers and sisters. Memorial Service will be Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. in Wesley Willows, 4141 N. Rockton Ave. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Interment in Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the family to be established at a later date. To express condolences online please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.