William Piper Walton Jr.

June 9, 1953 – October 29, 2018

Piper was born in Winter Haven, Florida on June 9, 1953 and passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Hobe Sound, Florida on October 29, 2018 at the age of 65.

Piper was a native Floridian and his family were residents of Palm Beach for three generations. His grandfather, Ernest B. Walton, opened E. B. Walton Construction in Palm Beach in the early 1900s. Piper grew up on the island through the 50s to the 70s. He enjoyed the ocean and typically had the entire beach to himself during the summers since, at that time, Palm Beach consisted mainly of winter residents.

Piper loved to play practical jokes on his neighbors and teachers from Palm Beach Public School through his graduation in 1971 from Cardinal Newman High School. Piper never missed an opportunity to pull a prank, most of which are still talked about today. He was not only a lover of boats and the ocean but also of all things pirate. He wrote his memoir titled The Pirates of Palm Beach, a historical tale of the many escapades of his youth.

Piper’s first job was on Royal Palm Way at the Heart of Palm Beach Hotel which his father operated. In 1974, Piper became a Journeyman Electrician and worked 13 years for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW Local Union #323. He continued his education earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

In 1987, he began a new career as a Facilities Supervisor with the Florida State College System, where he worked for 28 years. Piper held many certifications and also served the colleges as a State of Florida Uniform Building Code Inspector, Limited Building Code Administrator, State of Florida Special Fire Safety Inspector, State of Florida Electrical Inspector, and State of Florida Requirements for Educational Facilities Inspector. Piper could fix almost anything and helped countless people with repairs in their homes and businesses. He never declined a request for help and was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

Piper was married to his first wife Patricia Kisla from 1975–1993 and had one daughter, Jennifer. Piper was remarried in 2001 to his current spouse Patricia Casey.

Piper is survived by his parents William P. Walton, Sr. and LaRosa Vaughn Walton, wife Patricia Casey, mother-in-law Helga Casey, Patricia Kisla Walton mother of his daughter Jennifer Avakian, son-in-law Brad Avakian, granddaughters Vivienne and Ellis Avakian, brothers Jim Walton and Mark Walton, sisters-in-law Beth Walton and Sheila Walton, nephew Justin Walton, nieces Jamie Walton and Meghan Norwood, grandnephews Ezra and Abel Norwood, nephews-in-law Pete Patel and Dan Norwood, niece-in-law Samantha Walton, aunt Jane Vaughn, and numerous cousins from the Walton, Vaughn, and O’Connell families.

Piper is preceded in death by his grandparents Ernest and Julia Walton, and James and Dorothy Vaughn, aunts and uncles Ben and JoJo Walton, James and Phyllis Vaughn, Phil and Perry Belle O’Connell, and Bennett Vaughn as well as cousin Robert Vaughn.

Piper was a people person. He would start a conversation with anyone he just met in the store or walking down the street. He was easygoing and had a great sense of humor. He liked to tell jokes and throw in a play on words wherever he could. He enjoyed watching tennis matches and reading, and he was knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects.

Most of all, Piper was kind to everyone and wanted people to be kind to each other. He loved his family, and he is missed deeply by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Piper’s memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity or a charity of your choice.

To offer condolences or to share your memories of Piper, go to https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jupiter-fl/william-walton-8038819

For more information about his memorial service, please email Beth Walton at [email protected]