Lasting Memories

Wilbur Raymond Morton
Aug. 11, 1919-July 16, 2016
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Lynnette Morton Carey

Wilbur Raymond Morton, resident of Palo Alto for 58 years, passed away on July 16. He was 96. For the last four years he called the Palo Alto Commons his home. Born and raised in Campbell, CA, he was the son of Gladys L. Morton and Herold W. Morton. He graduated from Santa Clara University in 1941 with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a top marksman and member of the ROTC.

Will met the love of his life, Jean Fairfax Pell, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they were married at the Edgewood Presbyterian Church on Dec. 23, 1944. After starting a family in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, they relocated to Richmond, California in 1951. Will began working for Hewlett-Packard when the growing family moved to Palo Alto in 1958. He worked in the Special Handling Department and retired in 1982.

The couple joined the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto and were very active there. Will was a proud member of the Chancel Choir and Oratorio Society. Will and Jean loved traveling abroad on numerous church choir trips. His photographs from these trips were inspirational to Jean's artwork. Will volunteered his time as Sunday school teacher and also as assistant scout master for Boy Scout Troupe 59, which met at the church. At one time in the 1970s he served as president of the Pacific Art League.

His hobbies were singing, playing his trumpet, arranging music for four-part harmony, writing poetry, photography, vegetable gardening and tennis.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his brother, Richard, wife, Jean and grand-daughter, Sarah Morton. He is survived by his five children Stephen (Carole Hart) of Rio Vista, California, Dennis of Palo Alto, Lynnette (Morton) Carey (Scott) of Palo Alto, Gary (Betsy Shelton) of Half Moon Bay and Scott (Linda) of Redwood City; and his six grandchildren Denise Morton, Robin (Morton) Rudenberg, Kelly Morton, Noel Carey, Wesley Morton, Kevin Morton; and one great-grandchild, Nicolette Rudenberg.