William F. Norton Jr.

William F. Norton, Jr., 81, Passed away Monday, Decem- ber 1, 2003 in Peoria, Arizona. He was born in Tucson, Arizona, November 6, 1922. His parents, William Sr. and Margaret, moved to Phoenix in 1923. He attended Emerson Grammar School, Phoenix Union High School where he was enrolled in the R.O.T.C. Program (graduated 1940), While attending Phoenix College World War II began. William already had a Pilot's license and enlisted into the Army and was assigned to infantry as a Lieutenant. Later he transferred from Infantry to U.S. Army Air Corps, trained in light planes and Gliders and was transferred into Troop Carrier Command and trained as pilot for troop transporting and Glider towing. Served over seas from August 1945 to August 1946, in the Pacific theater. Flew from Australia to Japan, carrying wounded and troops and supplies for Troop Carrier Command of the Army Air Corps. Discharged in August 1946. Married Phyllis Crowe December 23, 1944 in Kansas City, MO. Bill, as his friends called him, returned from the War and continued in the family cattle and ranching business for a short time. He was from a long time Pioneer Arizona family. His Great Uncle John Norton represented Arizona prior to Arizona becoming a State. The family had vast ranching enterprises in Arizona and Mexico. Eager to start his own enterprise Bill opened his first service station on the corner of Central and Van Buren in Phoenix, and from there on He expanded his business holdings in Arizona, Nevada, and California to include, U-PARK parking lots, BONDED COIN laundry services, along with several others. The enterprise jewel in Bill's crown though was PARK N SWAP, four open air marketplaces located at the Greyhound Race Tracks in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and Apache Junction. Though Bill retired to Ensenada, Mexico in 1981 and sold his business interests he continued to work with his sons on various projects until his health began to fail earlier this year. Bill is survived by his wife, Charlotte M. Norton (wed 3/1985) and his two sons, William F Norton III, and Richards Lea Norton, and 4 grandchildren.