Walton was one of three sons born in the town of Didsbury, Alberta to George and May Youngs. Upon completion of high school in that farming community, he started his first job with a survey crew. That job led to a life dedicated to the surveying and mapping fields, particularly with respect to the Public Service of Alberta. He qualified as an Alberta Land Surveyor in 1953 and a Dominion Land Surveyor in 1955.
Walton was appointed the Director of Surveys for the Alberta Government in 1964 and held that position until his retirement in 1983. During his career as Director of Surveys he was a member of the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association and served as President in 1960. He was later made an Honorary Life Member of the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association. He contributed in many ways to the Canadian Institute of Surveying, was a respected member of the Provincial Planning Board and served as Boundary Commissioner for Alberta.
Education for surveyors was a strong interest for Walton. He was instrumental in the development of the University of Calgary degree program in Surveying Engineering and was a member of the Advisory Committee for the Department of Surveying Engineering at the University of New Brunswick.
Following retirement, he joined the International Federation of Surveying (FIG), when the Canadian Institute of Surveying was awarded the holding of the 1986 Congress of FIG. He served as Secretary-General of FIG for three years and Vice President of the Finnish FIG Bureau for three years following that. Because of his contributions, he was made an Honorary Member of FIG.
Walton lived a productive and happy 92 years. A former colleague described Walton’s qualities as “honesty, integrity, modesty and patience”, and his friends and family would strongly agree with that assessment. Walton was predeceased by his brothers Robert and Clarence, and his sisters in law, June and Eileen. He is survived by Doreen, his wife of 67 years, and his daughters Julia (Robert Seager) and Laurie (William Douglas); and his grandchildren Katie, Pamela, Robert, Matthew, Robyn and Scott; and five great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.
As were his wishes, there will not be a funeral service. Condolences may be forwarded through Simply Cremation.com
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