William Norton

William J. Norton, 87, of Anderson, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2015 at Primrose Retirement Community.

He was born March 10, 1928 in Anderson and graduated from Anderson High School in 1945. He then enlisted in the United States Army Specialized Training Program and was eventually sent to Germany with the military detachment that governed in Bavaria. He received Commendation for his services in assisting in the first postwar election in the U.S. zone in Germany.

Bill graduated from Notre Dame University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science cum laude. He then graduated from Georgetown University Law School in 1954 receiving a Bachelor of Law. In 1955, he also received a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown. Norton served as an assistant to the Commisssion of Veteran Claims in the District of Columbia Federal Court House. He also served as Assistant Counsel for the U.S. Department of the Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics. He was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar Association and to the Indiana Bar Association.

Upon returning to Anderson, Norton established his law practice dedicating his life to helping and serving the people of Madison County.

Norton served as Deputy Prosecutor and later served as Attorney for Madison County. He was elected three times as Chairman of the Madison County Democratic Central Committee and was active in the Kennedy Presidential Election in arranging the visits to Anderson of both John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert Kennedy.

Norton was elected President of the Madison County Bar Association in 1990. He was also a past member and officer of the Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus, as well as, Director of the Wilson Boys and Girls Club and the American Red Cross.

Norton assisted in the founding of the Madison County Community Health Center in which he served as a director and officer. In 2008, he received the Hope Trust Healing Award from the Community Health Center.

Norton was a life-long member and supporter of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy (Forbes) Norton; two sons, Win (Erin) Norton of Indianapolis and Dr. Andrew (Kristine) Norton of Warsaw; and two step daughters, Terry (Jim) Regenold and Tracy O’Toole. “Popper” also was the grandfather of Will, Charlie and Henry Norton; and step grandfather to Kimberly (Chad) Olson and Kelly (Nick) Badgett. He also had four step great grandchildren and a niece, Cindy (Haflich) Brown and nephews, Byron (Leslie) and Rick (Jo) and Tom (Mary) Haflich and several great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron E. and Denise Norton; his brother, Byron “Buddy”; his sister, Jean Norton Haflich; and his nephew, Mike Haflich.

The Norton family extends their deep gratitude to the wonderful care and support given by the staff at Primrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:00 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Msgr. Robert Sell officiating. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery.

Visitation will be 11:00-12:00 on Wednesday at the church.

Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory is handling the arrangements.