Shirley "Smiley" Sylvester Ashton Jr.

ASHTON, Shirley “Smiley” Sylvester, Jr. passed on April 1, 2015. Lived 90 wonderful years learning, leading, serving his country and leaving a lasting impression on everyone he met. His friends and families knew him as “Smiley” which was a nickname that described his sense of humor and handsome grin so accurately. He is survived by many relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.

Ashton grew up in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School (1943) and United States Military Academy Class of 1946.

He proudly served 24 years in the U.S. Army where he was in Artillery then SignalCorps. He earned 2 Bronze Stars from serving in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.

On his second career he dedicated over 20 years specializing in communications at U.S. Department of Justice, BJS and earned the prestigious Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. He retired as the Acting Assistant Attorney General (1993) to enjoy breathtaking sunrises every morning over the Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean with his newspapers and coffee.

Ashton’s pleasant manner and quick wit drew people to him as he learned about culture and people in the 50+ countries he traveled to as he made his way around the world twice! Passionate about electronics, emerging technology, photography, languages (he spoke 4!), and Ham radios (he was a Fellow in the Radio Club of America), Ashton could often be found working on one of the mechanical loves of his life, his Camaro 1st Generation, when he wasn’t out on the town partaking in fabulous cuisine or entertaining cultural events.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2015 in the Joseph E. Hagan Memorial Chapel at Joseph Gawler’s Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC (Corner of Harrison St). Interment following in Arlington National Cemetery at 2 p.m.