Walter Markancel Sutton
Published 6:04 pm Monday, January 4, 2010
Walter Markancel Sutton
Funeral services for Walter Markancel Sutton, 84, of Holly Pond will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, at Holly Pond Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Duck River Cemetery. Mr. Sutton died, Jan. 2, at Huntsville Hospital. He was a resident of Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville for the past year.
Walter Sutton was born March 17, 1925, in North Walter community of Cullman County to Charles Arthur Sutton and Minnie Gable. He joined the United States Marine Corps in May 1943. As a member of the 4th Division he earned 2 Presidential Unit Citations for combat operations against the Japanese forces in Tinian and Saipan. For service during World War II, he was also awarded the Navy Unit Commendation with 1 star, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 stars, the American Theatre Service Medal, Victory Medal WWII, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 star, and the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.
After the war he was assigned a two year tour with Marine Corps squadron VMR-153 in Tsingtao, North China. For service there he earned the Navy Occupation Service Medal, and the China Service Medal. During his time in both China and during the campaigns in the south Pacific during World War II he was a welterweight boxer.
During his assignment at Scotia (NY) Naval Shipping Yard, he married Dorothy Patnode of Schenectady, NY, in September 1950.
In the early 1950’s he was assigned to service in Korea where he earned the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Medal. He also spent two tours (1 year each) in Vietnam from 1965-66 and 1968-69. During this time he earned the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal with one star, the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 star, the Vietnamese Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation of the Gallantry Cross (with palm and frame), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal.
He also earned the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with 7 stars, and the Drill Instructors ribbon with 1 star for assignments as Chief Drill Instructor in Parris Island, SC, during the early 1960’s and Command Sergeant Major at 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, San Diego, CA. He was also awarded the Navy Commendation Medal.
Sergeant Major Walter Sutton retired from the United States Marine Corps in February 1971 and moved to a farm in Holly Pond, AL. He attended Wallace State Community College where he earned a diploma in Auto Mechanics and a diploma in Agribusiness. He was also a bus driver for Holly Pond School for 10 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Dorothy Patnode; son, Jeffrey Sutton; three brothers, S. Afton Sutton, Charles Ray Sutton, and Rex A. Sutton; and sister, Helon Latham.
Survivors include: Brother, Leldon Sutton (Von); sons, William Sutton and Carl (Jan) Sutton; daughters, Catherine (Frank) Talbert , Mary (Terry) Rutherford, and Caron (Brian) Widgren.
Grandchildren: Georgann (Brian) Wilbanks, Gabrielle Talbert (Tony Palmer), Matthew (Christi) Rutherford, Victoria (Shannon) Wyke, Candice (Antonio) Wilson, Alexander (Tiffany) Rutherford, Spencer Rutherford, Janessa Sutton (Don Cherry), Timothy Sutton, and Victor Widgren.
Great grandchildren: Audrianna Wilbanks, Isabelle Wilbanks, Kara Johnson, Cameron Johnson, Elijah Palmer, Jacob Palmer, Trey Cherry, Bralen Cherry, Andrew Rutherford, Sidney Rutherford, Carilyne Wyke, Kaylee Rutherford, Lillian Rutherford, Alivia Rutherford, Alyssa Rutherford.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 5, from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Holly Pond Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View family video at www.HollyPondFuneralHome.com.