William Dalton

William C. Dalton, a fruit farmer who for more than 50 years owned Dalton Orchards near Fennville and introduced one of the first U Pick operations in West Michigan, died April 13, 2018. He was 89. Dalton also served as Manlius Township clerk for more than 20 years, never losing an election. Dalton was born in Roanoke, Va. His family moved to Detroit after the Depression, when his father was hired as a tool and die maker by the Ford Motor Co. Near the end of WWII, Dalton enlisted in the Navy and became a radioman serving on a ship in the South Pacific. With hundreds of other sailors in 1946, he participated in "Operation Crossroads" in the Marshall Islands and witnessed two nuclear weapon detonations.
After the service, he attended Wayne State University before accepting an offer from his grandfather to take over his 80-acre fruit farm, where he moved with his new wife, Rose, in 1950. (In the 1960s, Dalton also acquired the 40-acre Ernie Crane farm in Fennville.) Until her death in 2001, Rose sold apples, peaches, pears, plums and vegetables farm direct to customers, mostly from the Holland area, but also some who came from as far away as Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio.
After Dalton's retirement he sold much of the farm for housing development, but retained 25 acres of the original homestead, part of a land grant from President Martin Van Buren. Dalton lived there until his death.
He will always be remembered as a wonderful father; a stubborn farmer who refused to quit until all the money was gone; a dedicated public servant, and a generous friend to those fortunate enough to have known him. He also was a tremendous deer hunter, a decent harmonica player, and not half bad dancer.
Surviving are his son, Bill and daughter-in-law, Judy, of Kansas City, Mo.; granddaughters, Lisa Sprague and Renee Pennington; great granddaughters, Megan and Madlyn and great grandson, Cole; a sister, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be Monday, April 16, 2018 at the Chappell Funeral Home in Fennville, from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. Private graveside services will be held at the Manlius Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland, or to the "Bill and Rose Dalton Scholarship" administered by the Fennville Educational Foundation. Chappell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. An online registry can be found at www.chappellfuneralhome.com.