William Edward Britton “Bill,” aged 93, of Apple Valley passed away on June 6, 2025, at his home surrounded by family. Bill was born in Walla Walla, WA on September 19, 1931, to Alexander and Ethel Britton. After graduating from Washington State College with a degree in Agricultural Mechanization in 1953, he served his country as a heavy equipment maintenance officer in the US Army Corps of Engineers while stationed in Japan. Upon returning to Walla Walla after his service, he ran a dry land wheat farm north of Touchet, WA from 1956-1967. He later went back to college at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD. While there, he excelled in technical writing and joined Deere and Co. as a technical writer at the Waterloo, IA engine works. He retired from John Deere in 1988.
Bill is preceded in death by his devoted wife of 67 years, Betty Lou; his parents; and siblings Jim (Viola) Britton and Lorraine (Joseph) Mc Kay. He is survived by his son Kenneth Britton and wife Rita; daughter Debra Gibson and husband Don; and daughter Kathryn Slette Harris. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren: Abigail Derheim, Chad Gibson, Jennifer Gibson-Weyer, Cory Gibson, Benjamin Britton, Elizabeth Soderman, Sarah Tollefson, Clayton Gibson, David Britton, Loren Gibson, Gunnar Slette, and Ruby Harris. Additionally he has 24 great-grandchildren.
Bill and Betty loved traveling together throughout their lives. During retirement they explored the United States and Canada with their travel trailer. They traced the Oregon Trail together while discovering various parts of the country and circled Lake Superior as well. They enjoyed riding the VIA train across Canada and for many years made it a point to celebrate Canada Day somewhere special up north.
Apart from traveling extensively together during retirement years they also lived in Springfield MO; Shell Rock IA; College Place WA; Cathedral City CA before settling down with their children in Minnesota.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday June 21 ,2025 at White Funeral Home located at 14560 Pennock Ave., Apple Valley. A gathering for family friends will begin at 10 AM.
A separate service will take place later in Walla Walla , Washington.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to https://minnesotahospicefoundation. org/
Condolences can be left at: www. whitefuneralhomes. com
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