William L. Horton Jr.

Decorated World War II Veteran
 

William L. Horton Jr., 84, of Bridgeton died on Sunday October 30, 2005 at home.

The husband of the late Doris E. Horton (nee Nelson) who died in 2004, they were married for sixty three years. He was born in Bridgeton and was the son of the late William L. “Leon” Horton Sr. and the late Irene Horton (nee Cake). Mr. Horton was a 1938 graduate of Bridgeton High School and an area resident his entire life. He and his wife lived on Rutgers Avenue for over fifty-nine years.

Immediately following graduation from high school, Mr. Horton went to work for Owens Illinois in Bridgeton in the Shipping Department. He was soon drafted into the U.S. Army at the onset of World War II. He served as a rifleman during the battles for the Rhineland in Europe. On Christmas Day 1944, he was wounded and hospitalized in Germany. A short time later he was transferred to Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington D.C. where he spent a year recovering. He was awarded the Purple Heart, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Following his recovery, he went back to work for Owens Illinois and worked for more than thirty years as their Shipping Manager. He retired in 1974.

Mr. Horton was known for his affection for boating. Over the years he has owned several motorized boat of varying sizes. He fished constantly and was well know for his woodworking abilities. He loved to carve decoys and was awarded many first prizes at local bird shows. Mr. Horton was also an avid reader.

He was a member of the American Legion Shoemaker Post 95 in Bridgeton and the Husted Landing Boat Club.

He is survived by two sons, William G. Horton and his wife Jean of Duluth, GA and Glenn J. Horton and his wife Leza of Leesburg, VA, one granddaughter, Corinne Glouse and her husband Scott of Cumming, GA two great granddaughters, Sydney and Brianna Glouse and one sister Margaret “Peg” Knocklein.

Friends are invited to attend a funeral service at the Freitag Funeral Home, 137 W. Commerce St., Bridgeton on Wednesday morning November 2nd at 11 o’clock with Rev. John Fordyce, former pastor of the Bethany Presbyterian Church officiating.

The interment will take place at Fernwood Memorial Park in Hopewell Township.

Friends will be received at the funeral home Wednesday morning one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Horton’s memory to the American Legion Shoemaker Post 95, 15 N. Burlington Road, Bridgeton NJ 08302.

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