Robert “Bob” Louis Wilton
Robert “Bob” Louis Wilton, 94, of Onaway, died Saturday, October 19, 2019 at Medilodge of Cheboygan.
The son of Adolphus Owen Wilton (“Dossie”) and Roberta Dorothy Bannatyne (who both grew up in Onaway), Bob was born at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit January 27, 1925. Bob graduated from Rogers City High School with his graduation being delayed by his service in World War II. He served about three years in the United States Marine Corp. He fought in the Battles of New Britain, Peleliu, the Solomon Islands, Okinawa and Hiro Jima. Wounded in action, Bob was the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal. During his time in the service he also suffered from malaria.
Following his discharge, Bob married Nora Lee Boehmer in Detroit June 18, 1948. To their union three children were born, Marilyn, Sandra Lee and Robert “Bobby” Jr. Bob used the GI Bill of Rights to attend college and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He became a teacher and eventually an elementary school principal spending more than 30 years in the Grass Lake School District before retiring and moving to Onaway. Bob also served as deputy sheriff in Grass Lake, was commander of the Onaway Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5857, and belonged to the Onaway United Methodist Church.
A proud Marine and extremely patriotic, Bob rarely missed a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) event. He marched in parades throughout northern Michigan, worked the Fourth of July chicken barbecue, and attended meetings and VFW functions. When the post had activities and obligations, Bob could be counted on to volunteer his time. Blessed with nearly 63 years of marriage, he and Nora were a great pair. They enjoyed spending time together, traveling and camping. An avid reader, Bob enjoyed sitting in his chair with a good book and smoking his pipe. As a young man, he enjoyed hunting, but as time passed, Bob headed to the woods of northern Michigan with his camera instead of a rifle and when the skies were dark he could be found at the end of his telescope, gazing at the stars.
Kind and generous, Bob was a man who put others before himself. He was determined, independent, and lived always trying to do what was right and best for those he loved. Bob touched the hearts of his fa
Bob leaves two daughters, Marilyn (Bob) Hoffman of Parma and Sandra Lee (Mike) Hills of Manistee; a son, Robert Owen (Valerie) of Jackson; five grandchildren; a great-grandchild; as well as a sister, Audrey Casari of Cheboygan; and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Nora in 2010; his mother and father; stepparents, Nellie Wilton and George McAfee; brothers, Carl and Jerry; and a sister, Corinne Moss.
Bob’s family will receive friends at the Chagnon Funeral Home Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. The Elder Thelma Curtis will officiate. Military honors by VFW Post 5857 will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Onaway. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Bob to Onaway VFW Post 5857.