Donald "Tony" John Walton Jr.

Donald John Walton Jr was born September 19, 1948, the second of five children born at St. Francis Hospital in Hamtramck, Michigan, to Donald John Walton, Sr. and Catherine Thelma Stewart-Walton. He received the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, in Detroit.

Dubbed “Tony”, by Uncle Edward “Slim” Harrington, at an early age and the nickname was adopted by his family and friends. Donald was educated in the Detroit Public Schools, beginning on the East side at Courville Elementary School and Nolan Junior High School. When the family moved from the East to the West side, he transitioned to Tappan Junior High School, where he excelled on the swimming team; and later at Mackenzie High School, where he ran track and cross-country. In this migration, the family became members of the St. Cecilia’s Catholic Parish.

An industrious youth, Donald earned money cutting lawns and delivering the Detroit Free Press faithfully every morning to the customers along his paper route. After graduating from High School, Donald was employed at Henry Ford Hospital and later was offered an apprenticeship opportunity at the Ford Motor Company, in the field of Tool and Die. He enrolled in Henry Ford Community College for his apprenticeship coursework and purchased his first automobile and his Pride and Joy, a lime green 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback. He was known to wash his car everyday, in any weather, including freezing temperatures. Bill remembers, “I recall him out at a coin wash, washing the car and wiping off the ice!” The distraction took a toll on his education though and in an economic downturn, he was laid off from Ford.

Later, Donald joined the United States Navy, where he pursued at new career as an Aviation Structural Mechanic, stationed at Pensacola, Florida, where he met and married Maria Antoinette Hogan. Four children were born to them: Olivia, Geneva, Anthony and Donald III (DJ). However, the marriage didn’t survive multiple relocations and long deployments, as Donald served in Operation Desert Storm from the Aircraft Carrier USS Inchon, based in Norfolk, VA. After retirement from an honorable carrier with the U.S.Navy, Donald was employed as as civilian to perform the assignments he performed in the Navy, at NAS Cecil Field and NADEP, in Jacksonville, FL. Donald met and fell in love with Christine Rosier,they married and settled in a home on Mohan Ct. where he was an avid CB and HAM Radio enthusiast. He enjoyed tending to his cars, his home, his family and his lemon trees. Janice recalls, “He loved his entire family, his cars, and his lemon trees. I know this, because during the onset of a terrible hurricane, I called him to see if they were okay, and he hurried me off the phone so that he could go and protect his lemon trees. And so he did. Therefore, the next time you have a nice cold glass of lemonade or slice of Lemon meringue pie, or if you find yourself speeding down some dark avenue, remember Tony, I think he would like that.”

Donald left this life, on the morning of Tuesday, January 26, 2021. His parents and Sister Cheryl Boll (Kenneth) of Placitas, NM preceded him in death. Donald leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Christine Walton, Sisters Denise Bensch (Chris) and Janice Bankston (Edward); Brother William Walton (Trevay), Daughters Olivia Walton and Geneva Bullard (Derrick); Sons Anthony Walton and Donald J. Walton, III (Felicia); 10 Grandchildren, 3 Great-Grandchildren, (8) Nieces and Nephews; Cousins by the Dozens from both the Walton and Stewart clans; and many former Neighbors, co-workers and friends. He will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed.

My Brother, go with God....and God's speed on Angels Wings