Donald Lee Walton

Donald Lee Walton, a long-time resident of Palos Verdes Estates, California, and current resident of Earlysville, Virginia, passed away on March 4th, 2025, at the astounding age of 97. Don was born in Harvey, Illinois, the eldest son of Stanley Vernon Walton and Virginia May (Ball) Walton. He proudly served in World War II as a combat air crewman in the air branch of the United States Navy. In October of 1945 while on a weekend trip to Philadelphia with a shipmate, he would meet Betty Haines. Three years later she finally agreed to marry him, and they tied the knot in October 1948. Their only child, Donald Raymond Walton was born in October 1949. After his discharge from the Navy, Don went to work for the Atlantic Refining Company (later ARCO) as a Technicians Helper. While working full time in the refinery, Don worked diligently and earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University Evening College and was assigned to Atlantic's Communication Engineering Department as assistant to the Chief Engineer. In 1966 he moved to the operations side of the department when he was asked to accept the position of Superintendent of the Philadelphia area. After Richfield Oil Co. and Sinclair Oil Co. merged with Atlantic Refining Co. Don was promoted to Communications Manager for the Eastern Area. In 1973, he was offered the position of Corporate Telecommunications Manager in Los Angeles. In 1982 he was appointed to the position of Director, Corporate Telecommunications, Networks and Information Services where he served until his retirement in 1991. Don was active in many professional associations such as: He was a life member of The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, he was a member of the Telecommunication Association of California, the International Communications Association, Past Chairman of the Central Telecommunications Committee for the American Petroleum Institute, Member of the Technical Advisory Board for Golden Gate University, Member of the Corporate Advisory Board for the Professional Communications Association, served as a U.S. Delegate to the 1988 World Administration Telegraph and Telephone Conference in Melbourne, Australia representing the American Petroleum Institute, and lastly he represented the Petroleum Industry as a member of the FCC Industry Advisory Committee for the International Telecommunications Union World Administrative Radio Conference for dealing with frequency allocation. Don's hobbies were boating, golf, and later in life spending time loving on his grandchildren. He and Betty spent many happy days moored in Two Harbors off Catalina Island aboard their boat the "Betty D". Don was a long-time member of the Palos Verdes Estates Golf Club where he spent many enjoyable hours with his many golfing friends. After a series of illnesses, Betty passed away in November 2013. Don called his long-time best friend Norman Helms, whom he had grown up with in Harvey, Illinois and joined the Navy together, to tell him of Betty's passing. He was then told by Norman's wife that he had also just passed away. Betty and Norman passed away just 16 days apart. After many phone calls, Don and Naomi finally got together in 2015 and were immediately attracted to each other. Naomi and Don were married in 2016 and thus began a loving relationship. In August of 2022 Don and Naomi moved from Palos Verdes Estates to Earlysville, Virginia to be closer to family. Don is predeceased by Betty, his beloved wife of 65 years, their son Donald Raymond Walton, brother William Richard, sisters Norma Jeanne Lowry, Helen May Orzech, Ruth Muller, and Judith Ann Garretson. Don is survived by his loving wife Naomi, stepson Josh Quinton and family, stepdaughter Cindy Herren, and many nieces and nephews. An online guestbook is available at www.compassionatecremationva.com Compassionate Cremation Services of Ruckersville, VA is handling the arrangements.

Donald Lee Walton

April 16, 1927 - March 4, 2025