William (Bill) Nolan Boughton passed away peacefully on Nov. 29, 2024, at his home in Lexington, Kentucky. Bill was born on May 26, 1925, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, to Stephen and Clara Boughton and was the youngest of four siblings, Ruth, John and Guy. Bill grew up in and spent the majority of his life in the St. Croix Falls area. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Navy’s naval aviation and electronics program. After discharge in 1947, he met his future bride, Marjorie Carlson. They were married in 1948 and lived in the St. Croix Falls area for most of their 67 years together, until 2013 when they moved to Lexington. Bill was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. They had two daughters, two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Bill’s naval training in aviation and electronics shaped his career. After discharge, he worked, for a short time, at the local Taylors Falls airport followed by several years at Northwest Orient Airlines. He then joined Fabri-Tek, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of computer components, including the development and manufacturing of high-speed memories for the computer industry in its infancy. While with Fabri-Tek he was the lead engineer in charge of the computer system installation on the first space shuttle, Enterprise. In later years, he and Marj founded and managed Manufacturers Maintenance Corporation, a company supporting the computer industry. They successfully owned and operated MMC for several years prior to their retirement in 1980.
Bill had many interests: fishing, traveling, aviation, but from an early age music was an important part of Bill’s life. While in school he sang in the choir and was a member of the band playing the bass horn. He competed, both vocally and instrumentally, in local, regional, and national competitions, winning several awards over the years. While in the Navy, he sang in the Great Lakes Naval Choir that sang on a coast-to-coast radio network every Sunday. They were invited to sing Happy Birthday to President FDR on public radio!! Bill was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Croix Falls, directing the choir for over 30 years.
Bill lived his life a humble and trustworthy man, grounded in his deep Christian faith. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his daughters, Pam Gilkerson and Judy Upton (Doug); his grandchildren, Josh Gilkerson (Nikita) and Kinsey Chambers (Ben); and his great-grandchildren, Ella Chambers, Sebastian, Lincoln and Ralston Gilkerson.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 5, at Liberty Road Faith Fellowship Church, 2734 Liberty Road, Lexington, KY. Burial was at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Visitation was prior to the time of service at the church. The service was livestreamed on the Liberty Road Faith Fellowship Church website at lrfflex.org.
Contributions, in memory of Bill, are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Liberty Road Faith Fellowship Church. A contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association can be made online at act.alz.org. A contribution to the church in memory of Bill can be mailed to Liberty Rd. Faith Fellowship Church at 2734 Liberty Road, Lexington, KY 40509.
