Willis (Bill) Charles Saxton
Obituary
Saxton, Willis (Bill) Charles age 98 of Monticello, passed away on Saturday February 6, 2021 in St. Cloud.
Born: Algona, IA – May 15, 1922. Passed: St. Cloud, MN - February 6, 2021.
Preceded in death by wife, Margaret (Peggy), the mother of their five children; daughter-in-law, Traudi; sister, Alice.
Survived by his wife, June Saxton; brother, Ralph Saxton; children, Jeffery (Lili) Saxton, Gail (Tim Farrell) Schuette, David (Mary Gilligan) Saxton, Edward (Patricia) Saxton, and John Saxton; 16 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren, his former son-in-law Roger Schuette, and a tremendous collection of multigenerational family and friends from virtually every walk of life.
Willis proudly served for 20 years in the US Navy as an Aviation Structural Mechanic Chief Petty Officer through WW II and the Korean Conflict. As a member of the Free Masons, he served as Master of the Rockford Lodge #469 and a member of the Anoka Lodge #30. He was a 32nd degree mason of both the Scottish and York Rites. He was a member of the Zurah Shrine Temple for many years. Willis also proudly served as captain and president of the Zurah Shrine Horsemen. Performing in parades (including the Rose Bowl), drills around the country, and square dancing on horseback at the state fair with the Western Mounted Paraders was a passion for him. His legacy will be a positive attitude, a great sense of humor, a love of country, and most of all a love of family.
His legacy will be a positive attitude, a great sense of humor, a love of country, and most of all a love of family.
Bill’s Celebration of Life will be at the Zurah Shrine Horsemen Ranch, 4505 Co Rd 92, Maple Plain, MN 55359 on Saturday, May 22nd. The ranch will open at noon with a 1:00 service in the indoor arena followed by a gathering outside under a tent with food and stories. This is an informal gathering, as we will be walking on gravel/dirt and grass outside.
A private family interment will be at Fort Snelling.
Donations preferred to Shriners Children’s Hospital or American Legion Post #260, Monticello or VFW Post #8731, Monticello.