George R. "Bob" Walton

George “Bob” R. Walton, 76, of Knoxville, died Dec. 12, 2008, at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital in Knoxville. George Robert Walton, son of Robert and Adena McFarland Walton, was born on Feb. 18, 1932, in Rocky Comfort, Mo. Bob was the oldest of 18 children. In 1950, he was united in marriage to Mildred White in Dubuque, Iowa. Bob worked for Dubuque Packing Company before becoming co-owner of a lumber company in Dubuque. He was a loving father and enjoyed his family. He did a lot of wood working and building furniture, wooden toys, jewelry boxes and wine decanters. He was directly involved with the remodeling of the “Blue Moon Tap” that was shown in the movie “Fist” starring Sylvester Stalone. Bob also served six years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He is survived by his two sons, David (Yoshiko) Walton, of St. Peters, Mo., and George Walton Jr., of Dubuque; four daughters, Sandra (Mike) Smith, of Bussey, Patty (Fred) Smothers, of Dubuque, Donna Gable, of What Cheer, and Elizabeth Walton-Soule, of Dubuque; two brothers, Richard Walton, of Dubuque, and Bobby Eugene Walton, of Evergreen Park, Ill.; and two sisters, Tillie (Kelly) Pruitt, of Tulsa, Okla., and Martha Harlow, of Newton. Bob was also blessed with 21 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. George is preceded in death by his parents; a wife; three sisters, Mary Johnson, Anna Jane Brinsky and Janet Walton; a brother, Donald Walton; and grandson, Jason Haines. A memorial service will be held at the St. Lukes Church in Dubuque, on Jan. 10, beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will be held privately at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the family at Sandy Smith P.O. Box 41, Bussey, Iowa 50044.