William "Bill" C. Newton

December 7, 1924 - February 26, 2013

William Cecil “Bill” Newton, age 88, husband of Eloise Newton, and a resident of New Lewisburg Highway, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at NHC Healthcare- Columbia.

Local funeral services will be conducted Thursday, February 28 at 6:00 PM from the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Steve Swango. The family will visit with friends from 4:00 until 6:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Final services and interment will be conducted Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 2:00 PM at the Grant Wesleyan Church in Grant, MI. Burial will follow in the Hillside Cemetery in Grant, MI. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

Bill was born December 7, 1924 in Elkhart, IN and was the son of Harry and Rose Brock Newton. He served his country during World War II in the United States Marines, and made his career as a farmer and employee of General Motors in Michigan.

In recalling Bill’s life, his family unanimously talked of his love for the Lord. He is best described as a “Godly man.” Bill devoted his life to serving his Lord through gospel music. He served 18 years with the Faith Gospel Team in Michigan, traveling the state and performing in churches. Many of his children would join him on stage sharing their talents as well.

Bill converted an old school bus to assist with travel of the Newton Family singers and named it “The Newton Cannonball.” They travelled in the bus from Virginia to Canada. In the past 22 years, Bill and Eloise shared their gift of music locally at church and in area nursing homes. Even as his health and memory began to fail him, Bill still had the desire and passion to sing.

He never believed in limitations. There was never a task that couldn’t be completed, or at least attempted. He believed in hard work, and had a positive attitude toward everything he did. His Christian values exuded from him in everyday life, even toward the end. While in the nursing home, he would still remain standing to see to it that all the ladies first had places to sit, and would be the first to give up his seat when a lady would enter the room.

Bill’s style will be long remembered. He loved the “western clothing” style and chose it for many years. When he wasn’t serving others, or singing, he could be found hunting and fishing – two favorite pastimes he enjoyed.

In addition to his wife: Eloise; he is survived by four sons: John (Cammy) Newton of Grant, MI, Danny (Kellie) Newton of Sand Lake, MI, Joel Newton of Grant, MI, and Tim (Dianne) Newton of Sand Lake, MI; seven daughters: Kerry (Randy) Peeples of Sand Lake, MI, Robin (Ed) Blair of Cedar Springs, MI, Kendra (Bobby) Helm of Roanoke, VA, Brooke Smith of Sparta, MI, Tammy (Randy) McLeod of Fremont, MI, Billie (Tim) Deater of Newaygo, MI, and Amber Newton of Lowell, MI; five sisters: Naye (Kenny) Hubbard, Helen Martin, and Joy Fergeson all of Grant, MI; Mary Ray (Bob) Schuitema of Jenison, MI and Reba Leifers of Ravenna, MI; two step-sons: David Martin Boykin of Denham Springs, LA and Danny Wayne (Wanda) Boykin of Lewisburg, TN; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents as well as three sons: David, Paul, and Jeremiah Newton; a brother and sister: Bud and Betty; and daughter-in-law: Peggy Newton.

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