William L. Norton

William L. Norton, 89, died Thursday, January 25, 2007 at his home. A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. today in the chapel of Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Norton was born on January 31, 1917 in Bardstown, Kentucky, the son of the late Clyde Earle Norton and Pearle Miles Norton. A long time resident of Jackson, he attended Central High School and graduated from Chamberlain Hunt Academy in 1934. He continued his education at Millsaps College from 1934 until 1936, transferring to Bowling Green College of Commerce where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in commerce in 1938. While attending college, he was initiated into Kappa Alpha Order and remained active in the Alpha Mu House Association. A certified Public Accountant, he practiced with Dick D. Quin & Company from 1944 until 1960. He served as a Partner in the firm. In 1961, he accepted a Partnership with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company (KPMG) and remained until his retirement in 1977. After retirement, he served as the Executive Vice President of the First Magnolia Federal Savings and Loan Association until 1982.

Mr. Norton was dedicated to his profession and volunteered his time with many professional associations including: the Mississippi Society of CPAs, where he served as Past President, from 1959-1965, he served as a Member of Council with the American Institute of CPAs, he was a member of the Jackson chapter of CPAs and served on the AICPA Committee on Auditing for 1959-1961.

He also dedicated his time to the community volunteering his time as Past President of the Men's YMCA, past president of Junior Achievement of Jackson, where he was a recipient of the National Leadership Award. He served as the President of the United Way of Capital Area, Past President of the Mississippi Opera Association and as a member of the Advisory Board. He also was member of the Mississippi Committee of Newcomen Society of North America, former President of the Capitol City Petroleum Club, served on the Board of Directors Mississippi Economic Council and President of the Hundred Club of Mississippi.

A former member of Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, Mr. Norton was currently a member of the First Christian Church of Jackson. Mr. Norton served as a member of the Board of Directors the Mississippi Religious and Counseling Foundation. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Lee Newell.

Survivors include: wife, Marilyn L. Norton of Ridgeland; daughters, Nancy Allen and her husband Clyde Allen, M.D., of Laurel; son, William N. Norton of New Orleans, La.; grandchildren, Martie Miles, Betsy Bidwell, Russell Allen, Kate Norton, Barlow Norton, Sarah Miles Norton, great grandchildren, Austin Bidwell, Miles Bidwell, Sarah Elizabeth Bidwell, Olivia Allen, sister, Mary Norton Kemmer and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, Jackson, MS.