William Walton, 64, beloved husband of Rita Lloyd, died Jan. 24, 2013, from acute respiratory disease complicated by multiple myeloma.

Bill, Will, Billy, Willie, and other names he acquired, was a man of broad talents and tastes, a man who loved his friends and made friends wherever he went, a man who lived life in the moment, and enriched the moments for all he shared them with. His loss breaks many hearts.

Bill was born in rural Pennsylvania where he was raised by his parents and grandmother with three siblings who survive him: Terry Walton of Virginia, Yvonne Harrington of Mississippi, and Denise Myford of Florida. He is also mourned by his first wife, Shelley Hartle, and 11 nieces and nephews.

Bill spent three years in the Air Force after high school, followed by college in Pennsylvania. He began his working life as part-owner and operator of several restaurants and bars and through the years showed his broad range of talents and adaptability through a variety of jobs in a variety of places, including Pennsylvania, California, Washington, Germany and Wisconsin.

His loves and joys were many. First he loved his wife, family, and friends, who became his family. He loved everything about bicycles —- riding them, racing them, building them, tinkering with them. He loved golf and the friends who shared the game and insults with him. He loved music, from opera to rock and roll. He loved to travel. He loved theater as an audience member, actor and director. He also loved visual art, appreciating others’ works and dabbling in his own.

His family is grateful for the wonderful compassionate care he received from Dr. Longo and staff at the University of Wisconsin Carbonne Cancer Center. Their caring skill allowed Bill many additional years of a full and happy life.

Rita Lloyd plans to return to Whidbey Island for a celebration of Bill’s life at a time and place yet to be determined. Her address is 1316 Morrison St., Madison, WI 53703.