William “Bill” Edward Barton ’57, Nov. 24, in Paonia, Colorado. He was 85. Bill was professor emeritus of economics at CC, having taught in the Economics and Business Department for 40 years. He was especially known for his accounting courses, and for the significant impact he had on the lives of students. At a 2012 celebration establishing the Bill Barton Endowed Professorship, it was noted that if asked to remember a favorite class, more than three decades of CC alumni would quickly reply, “My favorite class was any class from Bill Barton.”

Bill came to CC via the Air Force, where he enlisted at age 18 and where colleagues in a legal office had encouraged him to start college classes. While there, Bill also met Jean Barton M.A.T. ’68; they married in 1952 and would remain married for 65 years.

Bill graduated cum laude from Colorado College in 1957, and then received his M.B.A. from the University of New Mexico in 1960 and his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in 1970. He began his teaching career at CC in 1958 as an instructor, before becoming a full professor.

Former dean of the college and dean of the faculty and current professor of history, Susan Ashley, recalling her early days at CC, has written about Bill this way: “Students identified Bill as one of the good teachers. The secret, I think, was a winning combination of informality and command.”

Bill earned emeritus status in 1997 and received the Gresham Riley Award from the CC Alumni Association in 2000, presented in recognition of “loyal and unwavering support of his alma mater and for making a significant difference to the college community through outstanding service, commitment, and accomplishments.”

When the Barton Professorship was established in 2012, the proclamation read, “Students, faculty, friends, family, and administrators wish to recognize Professor Emeritus Barton for his instruction in the classroom, his commitment to students and the college, his unique style, his friendship, his smile that lights up his entire face, and an encyclopedic memory of his students.”

In addition to his wife, Bill’s survivors include sons William R. Barton ’76, David M. Barton ’77, and Mark Barton; daughter-in-law Patti Barton ’76, who worked in Alumni and Parent Relations, College Relations, and External Relations at CC; seven grandchildren, including Haley Barton ’10; and twin great-granddaughters.