Lewis Walton

Mr. Lewis Raymond Walton, 69, of Frederick, MD, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Born in Portland, Maine on January 23, 1945 (as he often said “you can never forget my birthday if you can count to five --12345”). He was the son of the late Norman Sr. and Caroline Walton of Portland, Maine.  He is survived by his wife and best friend of 52 years, Eileen Walton, his daughters, Terri Stull and husband James of Walkersville, Lisa Zimmerman and husband Luther of Hagerstown, and his son, Paul Walton and wife Annette of Clovis NM.  Also surviving are grandchildren, Daniel Walton, Alex Walton, Amanda Walton (of Heath, Ohio), Jaime Stull, Tyler Stull (of Walkersville, MD), and Chase Walton (of Clovis, NM), niece, Sonja Nielsen and nephews, Chris Nielsen and Todd Walton.  He is also survived by a brother, Norman “Buddy” Walton, Jr and wife Claudia, and his mother-in-law, Frances Johnson, all of Portland, Maine.  In addition to his parents, Lewis was preceded in death by his brother, David Walton, his sister, Karen Nielsen and his father-in-law, Francis “Johnny” Johnson.

Lew was a Vietnam veteran and was proud to have served his country for 20 years in the U.S. Army.  In 1969, he served on the communications support team for the Apollo XI during the first moon landing mission.  He was presented with a certificate from the Department of Defense, for “Management of Manned Space Flight Support Operations.”  After retiring from the Army, Lewis worked for Data Systems Analysis at Fort Detrick, MD as a Quality Assurance Manager.  He will be remembered for his generosity, his sense of humor and as being an outgoing, fun-loving person who would open his home to anyone in need.  Some of his favorite times were spent with family and the many people he befriended during his lifetime. Lew was a loyal New England Patriots fan, never missing a televised game.

A celebration of Lew’s life will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at the Walkersville United Methodist Church, 22 Main Street, Walkersville, MD. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Lewis’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950 (www.st.jude.org ).   Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.  Arrangements are by Stauffer Funeral Home, Frederick, MD.  Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.

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