Obituary of Billy Layton

Billy Ray Layton, age 77, of Eagle Mountain, Utah, passed away Friday, October 3 at Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, Utah. Bill was born on September 29, 1937 in Denver, CO to Earl and Ethel (Erickson) Layton. He attended Parker High School where he was an all-state basketball player and all-state baseball player. He and his older brother, Bob, were star players on the 1954 state baseball championship team. He graduated from Parker High School in 1956. He was invited to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team but instead decided to marry the love of his life and attend college. On September 14,1956, Bill was united in marriage to Joyce Elaine Flattery in Denver. The couple made their home in Sterling, CO while Bill attended Northeastern Junior College. He received his degree in Business in 1958. Following graduation Bill worked for Dixon Paper Company in Denver. The family moved to California in 1962, where Bill sought employment by Nation Wide Paper Company. While in California he took up fast pitch softball and played on three different teams five nights a week; he also coached little league baseball and church basketball. Early in 1963, while Bill was at work, some young missionaries knocked on the door and when Bill got home, Joyce informed him that the missionaries were coming back the next evening. On April 27th, 1963, they were baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church. This changed their lives forever. Everything they did revolved around the church. Bill was the second counselor in the South Gate ward bishopric until just before the family moved back to Colorado. Dad was a loving father and husband. He was all about family and his family included more than just his kids. Mom and dad took in other kids also. In 1970 through 1972 we were blessed with our foster sister Barbara Miguel. Barbara came to us through the church’s Native American education program. Dad was also a father figure to many of the kids we grew up with. In 1972, Bill and Joyce purchased Lincoln Lanes Bowling Alley in Limon, Colorado, with his parents Earl and Ethel Layton, operating it until 1987. During this time, Bill also drove a school bus for the Limon Public Schools as well as coaching summer baseball. Bill and Joyce were surprised that there was not a L.D.S. church in the small town of Limon. Soon, with the help of Sister Kitty Holt and Brother and Sister Pridgen, the church started a branch in Limon. Bill served as the branch president for nine years and served in many other callings throughout his life. Bill and Joyce helped get the church built in Calhan when the Limon branch was moved to Calhan. Calvin Josserand move in with us in high school as he was in Willie’s class and his dad was moving out of state. Dad didn’t hesitate to bring Calvin in as one of us, I guess he though that I needed another big brother to pick on me. While Bill was in Limon he built one of the best summer baseball programs in Eastern Colorado and laid the foundation for starting a high school baseball team in Limon. Bill loved coaching his boys in baseball and set a great example of how to coach, which both of his sons continued after he moved away. He also love watching his daughter, Shonda, compete as a standout volleyball player and cheerleader. Bill loved teaching people how to bowl during his ownership of the bowling alley. Lincoln Lanes was the hangout for everyone of all ages in Limon. Bill and Joyce moved to the Peyton area in 1988, and then moved into the Colorado Springs area in the mid-90s. It was while living here that Joyce passed away in November 1998. Bill continued working for Safe Tran until his retirement in 2002. On December 28, 2000, Bill was united in marriage to Marilyn Pace in Salt Lake City, Utah. The couple made their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, then moved to Provo, Utah, and finally Eagle Mountain, Utah. Preceding him in death were his parents, Earl and Ethel Layton; first wife, Joyce; one son, Willie Layton; one brother, Bob Layton; and son-in-law, Joel Dean. Survivors include his wife Marilyn Layton of Eagle Mountain, Utah; two children, Les (Jona) Layton of Limon, Colorado and Shonda (Dan) Monks of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter-in-law Jan Layton of Limon, Colorado; Marilyn’s children, Rick (Ann) Sorensen, Debbie Sorensen-Schumacher, Craig Sorensen, and Kristi (Nate) Pemberton; twelve grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.