Honoring Bill Orton: A Veteran's Legacy

Bill Orton, age 77, of Rutland, passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at his daughter’s home in Madison.

Memorial service will be 10:30 AM on Thursday, June 20th at Wentworth Presbyterian Church with Pastor Ann Spitzenberger officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 PM on Wednesday at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7 PM. Visitation will continue on Thursday one hour prior to the service. Lunch will immediately follow the service at the Madison VFW. Inurnment will be in the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls. The funeral will be livestreamed on Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel Facebook page.

William James Orton was born January 2, 1947 in Madison, SD to William A. & Gwendolyn (Mehlum) Orton. He graduated from Rutland High School in 1965. On July 1, 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and faithfully served his country until his honorable discharge on June 28, 1968. When he returned home, he returned to the farm east of Rutland and farmed with his dad. He stayed on the same farm that he was raised on and stayed until his health did not allow him to stay anymore.

Bill is past Post Commander for the Madison VFW and most recently, past District Commander, he was also a member of the Madison Funeral Honor Guard. In his spare time, he loved to spend time with his grandchildren and go fishing, and most of all, teaching them how to operate heavy machinery.

Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy of Rutland; daughter, Sabrina (Dean) Schmidt of Anchorage, AK, Adam Margeson of Madison and Debra (Brian) Noland of Madison; grandchildren-Ethan, Ozella and Joseph Schmidt, Abigail (Dillion) David, Ellie Margeson, Charles, John & Wyatt Margeson, Sabrina Margeson, Evelyn Margeson, McQuade Margeson, Eric, Christopher & David Noland; siblings, Donald (Deb) of Nebraska, Roger Orton of Rutland, and Cynthia Orton & several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, William Thomas (1969) and sister-in-law, Barbara.