William Thomas Barton,III,Ph.D.

   William (Bill) Barton passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 19, after heroically overcoming cancer. Bill was a loving father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, student, and friend who will forever be missed.  Bill was born on April 1, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the eldest son of William Thomas Barton, II, and Marian C. Loughney.  Bill loved sports from an early age growing up in his beloved Philadelphia. He even shot hoops in the neighborhood with Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain. Wherever he lived, Bill always remained loyal to his favorite Philly sports teams: the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles. Bill lived and attended school in West Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, graduating from Camden Catholic High School in 1954. Bill served honorably in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict with actor Roy Scheider (Jaws, etc.), who was his Commanding Officer. Mr. Scheider mentored Bill in drama and theater direction. Under the GI Bill, Bill attended La Crosse State College in Wisconsin and West Chester University in Pennsylvania, where he earned his undergraduate degree and teaching certification. A lifelong student, Bill graduated with a Master's Degree from Temple University and earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Maryland, in his late sixties.   Bill's love of education and the sharing of that love with children led him to a fulfilling teaching career that lasted many years. Bill taught English and Drama at Cedar Ridge High School in Old Bridge, New Jersey and at Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Maryland, where he retired after 45 years of teaching high school. His students loved him and his antics in the classroom. Bill had a wonderful sense of humor. While in New Jersey, he was in his element teaching students who wanted to be actors and was involved in many dramas and acting workshops and productions in the area. It was then that he met and worked with Robert (Bobby) Hegyes of the television shows "Welcome Back, Kotter" and "Cagney & Lacey" among others.   Bill had a wanderlust taking him many places including hiking Prince Edward Island, Canada, living amongst the locals. He was very proud of his Welsh ancestry and succeeded in living out some of his biggest life dreams: traveling to Wales, England, Ireland, and Italy. He also was honored to be the P.A. announcer from the booth at a Baltimore Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. He lived out his life in the beautiful woods and hills outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia in a town called Locust Grove. Bill made homes wherever he laid his head including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Oregon, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia.  Bill was a simple man, a kind and gentle soul who was always in deep thought. He had a great laugh and made others laugh too. He was the best listener. Anyone who had a problem would surely find relief by talking with him. He didn't always have the answers but his calming nature and laid-back style put people at ease. He had an innate desire to help those in need–whether it be stray animals or even people. He was one-of-a-kind.   Bill was an interesting man who led a full life. A right - brain thinker, he loved reading, writing, the classics, music, the arts, academia and especially photography – at which he excelled. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gerald and David Barton, wife and best friend Alice H. Barton in 2015, and by his loving son, who carries the same name, William Thomas Barton IV, in 2016. Bill is survived by daughters Virginia (Ginny) Matijasick and her husband Tony, Trinity Arnold and her husband Gerard, son Brian Barton and his wife Carrie, grandchildren Gerard Jr., Grace, William, Philip, and Joseph Arnold, Emily Ferlmann, David Warriner, Regina Wilson, Kevin McMurtrey, nephew David Barton, and extended family Jennifer Ferlmann and her husband Rusty, and Regina Manning. Bill also leaves behind his loving and devoted friends Debbie and Phil Harris, Deborah Keene, all of Virginia.   The family would like to thank P.J. Miller, RN, and Colleen Stiles, OT, for their care and concern for Bill. These ladies made a world of difference in his life.  A military memorial service will be held on a later date at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA.~~ Explorers Are Never Lost ~~