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.