Obituary

I just received the obituary, so here it is. It will be running in the Parkersburg, Clarksburg, and Glenville papers.

WILLIE ALBERT BARTON (aka Johnie)
Johnie Barton, 89, of Glenville, went home to live with his Lord on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. Johnie was born Willie Albert on November 22, 1919. His older brother, Creed, could not pronounce the name Willie thus he became “Johnie” and remained so the rest of his life.

On February 7, 1946, Goldine Davidson became his wife and they had one son, John Larry on March 25, 1949. Goldine and Johnie went to the same school where they learned their philosophy for life: “To work hard, stay out of trouble, and go to church.” This philosophy has always served them well and has been taught down through the Barton generations. Johnie and Goldine attended the Cather Grade School together and in those days the school also served as the church.

Johnie is survived by his wife Goldine; his son, Larry and daughter-in-law Deana. His grandchildren Jason and his wife, Stacey and John and his wife, Christal. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren all of whom were the apples of his eye: Hunter and Sydney Barton, and Victor & (twins) Nathaniel and Nicholas Barton. He is also survived by one brother: Creed.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Troy, and his parents Willie and Maude Barton.

Johnie joined the Army on April 9, 1942 at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio. He landed in the first wave at Omaha Beach in France. He fought from Omaha Beach to Bastone. He was assigned to General Patton’s command while in the field at Bastone and awarded two Bronze Stars for Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty – one of which was awarded at the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded twice and able to be patched up and continue fighting. However, he was wounded in Worm, Germany, and transferred to a hospital in England where he was awarded the Purple Heart. When he recovered, he was sent back to France to fight on. After Germany surrendered, he was sent to the Phillipines. He was discharged from the United States Army on Janaury 23, 1946, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, having served his country to the best of his ability.

He was often asked to speak at Career Centers, Public Schools, and Churches on Veterans’ Day and in History classes about his Military experience. He was often heard to say, “I start off my talks with a joke so I can get rid of the butterflys.” Many students and adults benefited from the history of his military experiences.

WE ARE VERY PROUD OF HIM.

Johnie went on to work in the Oil Fields of Central and Southern West Virginia. He was an honest, happy, God serving man who always had a smile on his face. We will miss him greatly until we meet again in heaven.

Visitation will be held at the “Church of God of Prophecy,” from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2009. Services will held at the “Church of God of Prophecy,” in Sand Fork, WV,
at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Johnie will lay in-state at Pisgah Cemetary with military honors.

A soldier goes home

Our country lost a hero this week, when Willie Albert “Johnie” Barton was called home after a brief illness. He was 89 years old.

Johnie grew up in Gilmer County, WV. He served his country proudly during World War II, achieving the rank of staff sergeant and squad leader. He received a purple heart, two bronze stars, and other awards before returning home to marry his childhood sweetheart, Goldine Davidson, on February 7, 1946. Johnie farmed and worked as a well tender and preacher while the couple raised their son, John Larry Barton.

Johnie was among the soldiers who landed on “Omaha” beach during the first wave of D-day. He fought at Bastone, where he was assigned to General Patton’s command while in the field. He was wounded multiple times, returning to the battle each time after his wounds had healed. He was awarded a purple heart and two Bronze Stars for Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty—one of which was awarded at the Battle of the Bulge. Until the day he left us, a photograph hung over his bed of his entire company from basic training. He proudly marched in parades with other veterans, flew an American flag on his front porch, and spoke to school children and civic groups about, as he put it, ‘The cost of freedom’. But he would have strongly objected to being called a hero. In his own eyes, he was not a hero—he was a Christian, a father, a husband, a friend. His grandson cannot remember a single time he heard Johnie speak a harsh word or raise his voice to anyone. Friends and neighbors say that he was a light to them, someone they could always count on for a kind word or a good story. Johnie will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Willie Albert “Johnie” Barton was preceded in death by his younger brother, Troy, and his parents, Willie and Maude Barton. He is survived by his older brother, Creed Hoy Barton, his wife, Goldine Davidson Barton, one son & daughter in law, John Larry & Deana Barton, two grandsons & two granddaughters-in-law, Jason & Stacey Barton and John David & Christal Barton, four great-grandsons, Hunter, Victor, Nathaniel, and Nicholas, and one precious great-granddaughter, Sydney Carol.

Services will be held at the Church of God of Prophecy in Sandfork, WV, with visitation on Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm and funeral on Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 2:00 pm. Burial will be at Pisgah Cemetery immediately following the funeral service with full military honors.