William Madison “Bill” Horton, 76, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at Johnson City Medical Center.
Born May 17, 1941, Bill was a son of the late William Harlan Horton and Mary Ada Harrison Horton. He lived and worked in several cities but had made his home in Elizabethton for the past several years.
Bill was a native of Hampton, Tenn., and played on the varsity basketball team for the Hampton Bulldogs. After graduation in 1959, he attended ETSU and then received his BS in engineering from Eastern Carolina. One of Bill’s great accomplishments was having been on the developing end of the Patriot Missile at Martin Marietta in Florida. He worked at several other places which included: teaching industrial trades in Chase City, Va., Univac, Raytheon in Bristol, Martin Marietta, RCA, Columbus Electric, North Electric, Magnavox, Air Maze, and G&W Window Manufacturing in Elizabethton.
After retiring, Bill enjoyed model trains, UT and Tennessee Titan Football games and was an avid automobile antique enthusiast. Bill enjoyed researching the history of Hampton and the people by talking with senior friends and neighbors.
Bill was a member of Central Baptist Church. At a young age he accepted Jesus as his Savior at Hampton Baptist Church.
Mr. Horton is survived by his devoted, loving wife, Patricia Livingston Horton, of the home; one son, James David Horton of Hendersonville, Tenn.; one brother, David W. Horton (Peggy) of Johnson City; one nephew, Dr. Nathaniel Horton (Kristin) of Georgia; step-children, Mary Jane Novotny of Chicago, and Franklin Hyder Jr. of Hampton; two step-grandchildren; one great-grand-stepson; his beloved cousins, Lisa Edens Mixon (Rick) of Knoxville, Michael Arnott (Betty) of North Carolina, Greg (Becky) of Columbia, Tenn., and Danny Arnott (Cristie) of Claton; and the mother of his son, Judy Myron Horton of Nashville.
The family of William Madison “Bill” Horton will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, January 27, at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. with Rev. Mike Richards officiating. The committal service will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, January 28, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Rick Mixon, Dr. Nathaniel Horton, Gary “Moses” Whicker, Franklin Hyder Jr., Franklin Hyder III and Leon Humphrey. Honorary pallbearers will be the 1959 Graduating Class of Hampton High School, his brothers-in-law, George and Robert Livingston, childhood and lifelong friends, James Buchanan and Billy Ray Harrell, Dr. Harold Lane, Dr. Kenneth Hopland and Dr. Keith Morley. The minister, family and friends are requested to meet at the cemetery by 1:20 p.m. Sunday. The family wishes to thank Agape Rehab and Nursing Home staff for the care provided to Mr. Horton for the last few weeks. Memories and condolences may be sent to the Horton family via www.morrisbaker.com.
Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, (423) 282-1521, is serving the Horton family.