Obituary of William Israel Morton

William Israel Morton, 89, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2016. Graveside Service: 10:30 am Tuesday, Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. Rev. Betsy Godbold of White’s Chapel United Methodist in Southlake, Texas, will officiate. William was born on October 25, 1926 in Sweetwater, Texas to William and Naomi Morton. In 1942 Bill earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and his student pilot license. In the summer of 1943, between his junior and senior year of high school, that pilot’s license enabled him to work at Avenger Field, where the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) trained. Every morning he prepared and warmed up the airplanes to be used by the trainees. In late 1943 he joined the Navy, and after training became the radio, radar, and sonar operator aboard the submarine USS Dentuda, SS 335, commanded by John S McCain II. He was a lifelong aviator, working at the airline Braniff International in Dallas for 15 years before retiring in 1981. He also loved classical music, and listened to various works daily in his last years. William was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Grace Lonelle Ault Morton, his parents and one sister, and granddaughter, Rachel Denise Gravley. Survivors: Children, William "Bill" Morton, and wife Linda, The Colony, Norma Quinn and husband Bryant, Lawton, OK, Kay Morton, Carrollton, and James Morton and wife Diane, Carrollton; 7 beloved grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, and extended family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in William’s memory to the charity of their choice. Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home Fort Worth, 817-292-2250