William Ashton

William “Bill” Jerome Ashton, Jr. (90) of Austin, Minnesota, died Thursday, August 4th, 2016 at the Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie. Born on March 23rd, 1926, in Austin, to William and Bessie Ashton, he was the seventh son in a family of eight boys and two sisters. Part of the “Greatest Generation” he served in WWII in the First Army, Ninth Division, 47th Regiment, in the European Theater of Operations during the battles in Central Europe, the Battle of the Bulge, and the liberation of Dachau Nazi Concentration Camp, in Munich, Germany. Returning home from war, he graduated from Austin High School in 1947. In 1948, William was united in marriage to Madeline V. Murphy, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, where they were lifelong parishioners. They celebrated 54 years of togetherness. He was employed by the Hormel Company, from 1943 to 1987, retiring after 44 years of service, from the Warehouse Shipping Department. Bill & Madeline enjoyed dancing to the “Big Bands”, singing along with the music of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, traveling, spending time with family, enjoying grandchildren, rooting on the Vikings, and taking care of his yard. He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers: Vern, James, Kenneth, Darrell, Robert, Donald, and two sisters: Gladys & Nell. Survivors include five children: Colleen & Tom McKinney (Houston, TX), James & Nanette Ashton (Eagan), Steven & Deloris Ashton (Blooming Prairie), Billie Ashton (St. Paul), and Dr. Robert & Susan Ashton (Eagan); twelve Grandchildren, six Great-grandchildren, Brother Richard Ashton (Austin), and nieces & nephews. The Wake Service will be Sunday, August 7th from 4 to 7 pm at Mayer Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 8th with visitation at 9:30 am, and Mass at 10:30 am at Queen of Angels Catholic church with Father Tom Niehaus, (Presider), Family Crucifix: Tori Ashton (Onalaska, WI), Lectors: Ryan Ashton (Wausau, WI), Tyler Ashton (Willmar), Erin Schumacher (Cantor), Sue Radloff (Violinist), and Jean McDermott (Pianist). Pallbearers: Justin Ashton (St. Paul), Ryan Ashton (Wausau, WI), Dr. Derek Ashton (Minneapolis), Tyler Ashton (Willmar), Brennan Ashton (Winona), Alec Ashton (Duluth), and Ian Ashton (St. Paul). Military Honors provided by American Legion Color Guard. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, with Taps played by Tom McKinney (Former US Navy Band Trumpeter, Vietnam Veteran & Son-in-Law, Houston, TX.

Service Information

Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery
11th Ave. NE & 5th St. NE
Rochester MN

Visitation

Sunday, August 7 2016
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Mayer Funeral Home
600 2nd Street NW P.O. Box 27
Austin MN 55912

Service

Monday, August 8 2016
10:30 AM

Queen of Angels Catholic Church
1001 Oakland Avenue East
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Monday, August 8 2016
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Queen of Angels Catholic Church
1001 Oakland Avenue East
Austin MN 55912