William K Norton
April 17, 1937-March 16, 2023
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Aimee Norton

William (Bill) K. Norton, Jr, passed away on March 16, 2023 at the age of 85. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on April 17, 1937 to Anna May (Wheeler) and William Kirk Norton, Sr. Bill's childhood was spent in Shreveport but also in Mercedes, Texas on the border of Mexico where his father bought a farm and grew grapefruit. He referred fondly to those years as when he lived in "the Valley", recounting stories such as not wearing shoes to school and having a pet chicken in his bedroom.

Bill was a deep thinker and graduated from BRITE theological seminary with Masters of Divinity, from Texas Christian University with a Masters of Theology, and a PhD in Psychology from Florida State University where he served as the student chaplain. He was an ordained minister serving many Christian (Disciples of Christ) churches over the years including Mansfield and Pineville, Louisiana. He worked as assistant professor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas 1969 - 1974, then as an assistant professor at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas from 1975-1981 before returning to Louisiana to work as a practicing family therapist and social worker for the State of Louisiana in the department of Children and Family services. He retired first to Virginia and then to Palo Alto, California to be close to his daughter and her family.

Bill Norton gave his first sermon at King's Highway Christian Church in Shreveport in May of 1965. He was a charismatic minister with the ability to enthrall an audience with both his presence and his insight into the human spiritual experience. He once preached a revival in "the Valley" with his uncle Toad. He was a wonderful storyteller, recounting many a musical performance at the Louisiana Hayride and riding the trolley cars in Shreveport to see Western movies downtown with his father. Bill enjoyed the world, often taking vacations near Monterey, Mexico or at the Gulf of Mexico beaches of Destin, Florida or Corpus Christi, Texas.

One of Bill's passions in life was singing. He was a stand-out in any choir and performed in over thirty different musicals in local theaters. Bill's singing was a religious experience and could make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. In retirement, he regularly sang at nursing homes, happy hours, and community events. Bill was also a good athlete in track and football in high school and was a walk-on to play college basketball. He followed college football and was loyal to TCU and LSU.

He is survived by his sister, Rose Ann (Bradley) of Cordova, Tennessee, his children, Aimee Norton of Palo Alto, California and William Kirk Norton, III, of Spring, Texas, his niece, Maria Page of Poway, California and nephew, Jon David Cook of Spring Grove, Illinois and his five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He will be missed terribly but also loved fiercely by his friends and family for all the days that they live. He once remarked that “disembodied consciousness has not been disproven”. We honor your spirit, Bill. We love you.