Walter Thomas Azelton, 70, of Marion, died Feb 3 at the home of his daughter, Sally Bird.
He was born Apr 2, 1930, in Flint, to Claude and Ruth (Crocker) Azelton. He married Agnes C. McClure on Feb 8, 1947, in Flint. She died Jun 5, 1982. On Apr 12, 1985, he married Luceine V DuCap in Saginaw. She preceded him in death on Oct 24, 2000.
Mr. Azelton attended school in Mt Morris, Grand Rapid School of Bibe and Music, and Cedine Bible College. He became an ordained minister in 1989. He formed the Redding Baptist Church in Temple and attended the Marion Baptist Church and the Garfield Country Church in Kalkaska County. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Jun 3, 1947, and received an honorable discharge on Jun 2, 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 28, 1951, in the USS WASP and received an honorable discharge on May 18, 1954. He worked at General Motors Corporation for several years and had worked in carpentry and the ministry. He lived in the Marion and Kalkaska area and enjoyed reading, golf, traveling, gardening, and spending time with his family.
Surviving are sons Ron (Sandy) Azelton of Grand Blanc, Carl (Connie) Azelton of Royal Oak and Bob (Ronda) Azelton of McBain; daughters, Sally (Bill) Bird of Marion, Pat (Doug) Hussett of Wyandotte, and Nancy (Steve) Wilson of Conifer, CO; stepchildren Dorothy (Mark) Drouillard of Ypsilanti and David DuCap of Phoenix, AZ; brothers George Azelton of Flint and Archie Azelton of CA; sister, Bessie Huff of SC.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wives; brothers, Bob, Hubert, and Claude; and sisters, Edna, Jo, and Ona.
Funeral services were held at Burkholder Funeral Home in McBain Feb 6, with the Rev. Dennis Williams officiating. Burial was at Vogel Center Cemetery. A military graveside service was held by Marion Blue Mountain Post 6015.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
