William Burton
Army Corps of Engineers project manager, lifelong learner  

Claremont resident William Robert “Bill” Burton loved people, and he loved Claremont. Combining these two pleasures, he strolled around the Claremont Village everyday, going to the post office, visiting the library, enjoying a sandwich at Pizza ‘N Such, frequenting Wolfe’s Market and delighting in talking with shopkeepers and fellow downtown meanderers.

“He loved to talk to anyone and everyone and remembered every detail of their lives,” said his daughter, Amanda Burton. “The Claremont community was his second family and he held you dear to his heart.”

Mr. Burton, a resident of Claremont for the past 14 years, died on February 1, 2008 at the age of 67.

Born in Upland on July 22, 1940, Mr. Burton attended elementary school in Claremont and Pomona. Frequently moving with his family due to his father’s career, he graduated from San Dieguito High School. He then attended the University of Southern California where he was a member of the freshman track team. Transferring to the University of California, Davis, he lettered in track and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture.

Mr. Burton served in Viet Nam as a marine lieutenant, working as a regimental supply officer near Da Nang. Following military service, he spent a year in Thailand working on his doctorate.

His career was spent as a civil planner in the Army Corps of Engineers, which took him to Washington, Arizona and California, where he settled in Claremont in 1994 and rode the Metrolink to downtown Los Angeles every day.

During his retirement, in addition to enjoying daily walks around Claremont, he spent many hours reading “anything and everything,” said his daughter. He was full of interests and thirsty for knowledge, she continued.

“He was so interested in everything. He was never one to say ‘My favorite is…’” Ms. Burton commented.

Mr. Burton also enjoyed hiking, fishing and traveling. But making and maintaining relationships and having conversations about so many different things with so many different people brought him the most pleasure.

“He was a kind and loving man. He left others with a positive feeling and a smile on their face,” his daughter said.

Mr. Burton is survived by his daughter, Amanda Burton of Tempe, Arizona; by his sister, Gin Fenstemacher of Navarre, Florida; by his aunts, Dorothy Schowalter of Rancho Cucamonga, Jean Barber of Upland, Alice Lichti of Upland and Pat Lichti of Upland; and by many cousins.

Services for Mr. Burton were held in Upland on February 9, 2008.