In Memoriam

Ernie Williams

Ernie Williams, 82 passed away on the fifth of March, 2024 at his home with his family at his side in Tucson Arizona. Ernie was born in Erie Pennsylvania and moved to Winkleman where he spent his childhood years. He attended the University of Arizona where he obtained his degree in Mechanical Engineering. After college he worked for Ford Motor Company, Hughes Aircraft, Ball Aerospace and Raytheon. His unique talents and ingenuity led to a fulfilling career in fleet management and aerospace engineering. He met his wife in Denver Colorado and raised three children in Boulder Colorado. Ernie and his wife moved to Tucson Arizona in 2000 where he eventually retired from Raytheon. His passion and interests include restoring cars, breakfast out, travel and movies. He was an active member of the Tucson Region of AACA. He is survived by his Wife Ann, son and two daughters Brad, Susan and Dawn, grandchildren Jake and Kyle. He was loyal friend and mentor to neighbors and community.

Johnny Rex Thompson
May 15, 1947 - Feb 17, 2024
We are sad to announce that on February 17, 2024, at the age of 76, Johnny Rex Thompson (Marana, Arizona), born in North Little Rock, Arkansas passed away. He was predeceased by : his parents, Rex Thompson and Dee Thompson; and his brother-in-law Monte Arledge. He is survived by : his wife Gay (Schomerus); his sisters, Bonnie Larreau (Carl), Bettye Beard (Don) and Mary Arledge; his children, Shawn Thompson (Shelly), Rhonda Fure (Mitch) and Kandie Stanton (Russ); his grandchildren, Shawn Thompson (Zolee), Scott Thompson (Maggie), Alyssa Marroquin (Carlos), Kayla Holliman (Oliver), Jase Fure, Kynzie Stanton, Chelsea Stanton and Zachary Stanton; and his great grandchildren, Preston Thompson and Levi Marroquin. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 26th 2024 at 2561 W Ruthrauff Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705. A burial will be held on Friday, March 22nd 2024 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery (15950 N Luckett Rd, Marana, AZ 85653).

Ronald L. "Ron" Edwards
April 26, 1942 – November 16, 2021

Ron, age 79, is survived by his wife of 58 years,Bernice, and their sons David (Shannon) andBrian (Katie) and grandchildren Kaylee, William, and Ashlyn. Ron was the youngest of 6 brothers spanning 21 years. Carl Edwards (Janet) is 86 and lives outside Spokane.
Ron’s humor, storytelling, generosity, and knowledge of old
Fords touched many lives. Ron joined the United States Air Force right out of Dover High School (NJ) and after receiving training to be a Civil Engineering electrician in Texas, was stationed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in February 1962 where he was frozen to the base to work on the missile sites. In February 1963 Ron returned to Dover, married his sweetheart from 8th grade, and they set up housekeeping on Brown Way in Tucson.
Ron’s love of cars started with model car building and progressed through the years to starting the Model A
Restorer’s Store on Pima with John Holley as his partner; and then came Star Auto Parts on South 4th Ave. and then 28th St. shop. He was a master at restoration and repairs of Model A Fords, and his knowledge was more vast than even he knew. He, being a social guy, was surrounded by family, friends car club folks, automobile recycling folks, Casa de Los Ninos’ board members, Optimist Club and much more.

Ron was active in the Tucson Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) and he and Bernice attended many of the national meets that were held around the country. They also hosted a summer ice cream social for the AACA and Model T & A clubs for several years at their home in Tucson.

Harold L. Norton
1935-2020
Harold was born in Garden City, Kansas on Oct 4, 1935. His father was a US Government employee, thus they moved frequently and he attended multiple schools in the United States and Europe.
He attended École International School in Geneva, Switzerland, the International School of the Netherlands and his senior year of high school was in Paris, France where he attended the American Community School, now the American School of Paris.
Upon graduation, he attended Kansas State University, then transferred to the University of Maryland to participate in the International Agriculture Economics program. After graduation, he joined the Foreign Agriculture Service for the US Department of the Agriculture. He remained there for 31 years. During this time, he served in The Hague, Netherlands, Nairobi, Kenya and Warsaw, Poland. He worked and traveled, to most African countries, most Middle East countries, and to a large portion of Asian countries as part of his work responsibilities.
He had many interesting adventures and also visited many interesting sites around the world.
In 1988 he received a call from the Secretary General of the United Nations to join the UN. He was assigned to Sudan, in Northern Africa, as Country Director but had to evacuate to Nairobi, Kenya. He was asked to stay there to take over the Country and Regional responsibilities.
Upon retirement in in 1998 he moved back to the US to set up home in Tucson, Arizona.
He became involved in Antique and Classic cars, winning Grand National Awards and becoming president of 3 different Car Clubs. He was active in the AACA Tucson Region for many years, holding several offices and serving as a liaison between the local club and headquarters. He enjoyed the opera, traveling, and the Dutch Club.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Harold Norton, and Cora Norton Mostek.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Kathryn Knapp Norton: children, Elizabeth M. Norton of Annandale, VA, Kathryn N. Paulk (Tom) of Annandale, VA, and Lawrence H. Norton of Raleigh, NC; two grandchildren, Casey L. Norton and Adrianna N. Lindsey (Kevin), and one great grandchild, Kora Lindsey; three brothers: Bruce Norton (Marie) of College Station, TX, David Norton (Connie) of The Woodlands, TX, and Colburn Norton (Susan) of Plano, TX; plus a host of nieces, nephews and other beloved friends and relatives.