Mr. William Calton

1933 - 2009

FOREST CITY - Mr. William Albert "Bill" Calton, 75, died Friday, May 22, 2009, at Hospice of Rutherford County, after a two year struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
'Papa Bill,' as he was affectionately known to his 12 grandchildren and many others who loved him as a grandfather, was born at home in Cleveland County, the second son of the late Aubrey Sr. and Hattie Calton. Bill's older brother is Aubrey Calton Jr., a well-loved local organist, (and wife, Betty) of Forest City. Bill loved the outdoors, drove a school bus, worked with wheat harvesting in Montana and partnered with his uncle to grow beans in Florida for commercial marketing.
After two years at NC State College and two more years in the Army, Bill married Elizabeth "Beth" Persons in June of 1962 on the front lawn of the Green River Plantation, then owned by Bill and his uncle, John Crowder. Always the entrepreneur, Bill soon partnered with James Deck to create Calton & Deck, Inc. These two diligent men bought and sold salvage and scrap and also dredged sand from the Green River. Bill used mechanical ingenuity to build whatever equipment was needed, including as a sand barge, sand pump and classifying systems.
Bill and Beth built their home on the top of the hill near the Green River Plantation in 1965. They moved there just days be-fore their third child was born. Children include Dawn Calton Jordan of Rutherfordton, Dee Calton Sizemore of Burlington, Tim Calton and Tom Calton, both of Rutherfordton. His wife, Beth, still lives in that house on top of the hill.
While continuing the salvage and scrap business, (now Calton Surplus LLC), Bill was also deeply involved at Green Creek First Baptist Church as Sunday school teacher and deacon. For many years, Bill was actively involved in the Polk County Gideon Camp. His family grew to include sons-in-law (Terry Jordan and Alva Sizemore) and two daughters-in-law (Tara Calton and Evelyne Calton), and also now includes eight grandsons and four granddaughters.
The family of Bill Calton would like to thank Hospice of Rutherford County for their dedicated service and the constant loving care offered to Bill and to his grateful family.
Visitation: The family will receive friends Saturday, May 23, 6 to 9 p.m., at The Padgett and King Mortuary and other times at the Calton Lodge, 325 Sycamore Lane.
Funeral: Sunday, May 24, 2 p.m., Green Creek First Baptist Church, 534 Coxe Road, Columbus
Burial: Green Creek First Baptist Church Cemetery
Memorials: Bill Calton Fund c/o the River Ministries, 325 Sycamore Lane, Rutherfordton, NC 28139; Funds to be disbursed to Bill's charities, including Gideons, Hospice of Rutherford County, the Alzheimer's Association and Green Creek First Baptist Church
Funeral home: The Padgett and King Mortuary
Online guest registry: www.padgettking.com