Sea King

William Garton

 

MGen Bill Garton, CD (Ret) passed away in his 76th year on 20 Oct 1996. A longtime active supporter of the Association, MGen Garton served as Association honourary national president during the mid 1970s. At the time, the Association’s fortunes were at a low ebb, with a national membership count hovering around the 9,000 mark. Garton pushed for more liberal membership criteria and actively supported the introduction of an expanded 48 page, full colour Airforce maga­zine to replace the 16-page Wings at Home quarterly. These, and other progressive changes did much to ensure the survivability of the Association and to promote a steady growth to the present Association that now boasts nearly 16,000 regular and an estimat­ed 5,000 associate members. A wartime vet­eran of 220 RAF Sqn and 407 RCAF (Demon) Sqn, MGen Garton was a former commander of RCAF Air Defence Command. Major-Gcmeral William Maris Garton was born i.n St. Bonifacte, Manitoba on B June, 1921. He received his education to senior rnatri.­culation level in Boissevain, Manitoba graduating from Boissevain High School in June, 1940.MGen Garton enlisted in the RCAF in September, 191i-0. After completing training as a wireless operator at 2 Wireless School, Calgary, in December, 191i-0 he was transferred overseas. While in England, he flew operationally with 220 Squadron RAF and 407 Squadron RCAF. He was commissioned as wireless officer operator in February l.942, and repatriated to Canada in July of the same year.Between July, 1942 and July, 1945, MGen Garton was employed as gunnery leader at 36 Operational Training Unit, Greenwood, and 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, MacDonald and as an administrative officer at various flying training schools in Western Canada. After serving as adjutant at 2 Construction and Maintenance Unit, Calgary, he returned to flying duties with 414 Photographic ‘Squadron in March, 191,7, In November, 1948 he was appointed officer commanding the Halifax recruiting unit., a position he held until July, 1950 when he was transferred to 1 Air Radio Officers’ school for instructional duties. He was appointed officer commanding the officers’ personnel selection unit at London in October, 1951. After successfully completing RCAF staff college course in June, 1955, MGen Garton was named executive assistant to the vice chief of the air staff. Two years later he was trartal;<;’)rred within AFIIQ· to sta(i’ duties with the Directorate of Organization and Establishments. MGen Garton was appointed commanding officer of RCAF Station Falconbridge in July, 1959, In October, 1962, he was appointed assistant to the chief of the air staff. MGen Garton was then posted to CFB St. Hubert and appointed senior personnel staff officer in August, 1966, He was promoted brigadier-general on 15 March, 1967 and appointed chief of staff o.f air defence command. MGen Garton was appointed Deputy Commander, 24 NORAD Region, Great Falls, Montana, in December, 1969.He was promoted to the rank of major-general June 8, 1973, and appointed commander of air defence command at North Bay, Ont, Peacefully at Elisabeth Bruyere Health Centre on Sunday, October 20, 1996, in his 76th year. Major General William (Bill) Garton (Retired) of Ottawa and Otter Lake, Ontario, and former President of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association of Canada. Beloved husband of Wilma (nee Robbins). Father of Anne of Boston, John of Ottawa, Laura (Burns) ot Toronto and William (Legrove) of Vancouver. Beloved brother of Pamela (Maciver) of Winnipeg. Predeceased by 2 brothers, Jack and Richard. Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends. An honour­able caring human being, professional airman, (Veteran of 220 RAF and 407 RCAF (Demon) Squadrons and Former Commander of Air De­fence Command) and business leader who touched the lives of all who knew him with warmth and humour.