William Edward Britton “Bill” was 93 years old when he passed away on June 6, 2025, at his home in Apple Valley, surrounded by family. He was born on September 19, 1931, in Walla Walla, WA to Alexander and Ethel Britton. After graduating from Washington State College with a degree in Agricultural Mechanization in 1953, he served as a heavy equipment maintenance officer in the US Army Corps of Engineers stationed in Japan. Upon returning to Walla Walla after his service, he managed a dry land wheat farm north of Touchet, WA from 1956 to 1967. Later on, he went back to school at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD. While there, he excelled at technical writing and took a position as a technical writer with Deere and Co. at their engine works in Waterloo, IA. 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 had 24 great-grandchildren.
Throughout their lives together, Bill and Betty loved traveling. In retirement they explored the United States and Canada with their travel trailer. They traced the Oregon Trail together while exploring various parts of the country and even circled Lake Superior. One highlight for them was taking the VIA train across Canada each year where they made it a point to celebrate Canada Day somewhere special.
Alongside traveling adventures during retirement years they lived in Springfield MO; Shell Rock IA; College Place WA; Cathedral City CA before finally settling down with their children in Minnesota.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday June 21st ,2025 at White Funeral Home located at 14560 Pennock Ave., Apple Valley with a gathering for family and friends beginning an hour earlier at 10 AM.
A separate service will take place later in Walla Walla Washington.
In lieu of flowers please consider sending donations to https://minnesotahospicefoundation. org/
Condolences can be shared at: www. whitefuneralhomes. com
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