William D. Ashton

William David Ashton, 84, of Davenport, Iowa passed away Sunday October 6, 2024 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois following injuries received in a car accident. 

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Bill will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2024 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 417 N. Main Street, Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, with military honors. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home with additional visitation Friday from 1 until 2 p.m. in the gathering space at church.

Bill was born December 7, 1939 in Davenport, Iowa to Frank and Edna (Wessels) Ashton. He was a life-long resident of Davenport and poured his energy and heart into the community. Bill graduated from Davenport High School in 1957. He followed in the family footsteps of many engineers before him and graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1962 and a Masters Degree in 1963. He was a member of the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Society inducted in 2008. Bill began working at the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and eventually began his own company Ashton Engineering, Inc. that served clients throughout the community and the world. Bill’s engineering career was his passion and he utilized his skills to solve problems. Up until his death, Bill worked tirelessly on engineering projects, both professionally and as a volunteer, and was often consulted by many for his engineering expertise to figure out the best solutions that others could not. 

Bill was involved in numerous community organizations. All were important to him. Some highlights include Davenport Rotary Club serving as President and Rotary International where he was honored with the Rotary International Service Award in 2016 – given to only 10 recipients in the world for his work eradicating polio in India. He traveled to help with humanitarian projects in Guatemala, helped build a church in Kenya, visited China, Russia, Brazil, Europe, and any back road he could find throughout the United States. His Catholic faith guided and sustained him throughout his life during joyful and tough times. He was a member of St. Anthony’s Parish, was director of Father Conroy’s Vineyard of Hope for 14 years, dedicated to the riverfront through the Levee Commission and River Action, and most recently was a volunteer for Vera French Housing and Rejuvenate Housing. Bill used his engineering skills for many projects in the Quad Cities community including the steeple at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, the fountain at Vander Veer Park, and the city bike paths. He stressed to his children the importance of education and civic responsibility.

Bill was a proud Iowa Hawkeye, ran track and cross country, and coached track. He continued volunteering countless hours as a track and field official for high school and college. Bill was awarded Letterman of the Year in 1995, he was president of the Iowa Varsity Club and along with his brother Jim, helped create the Ashton Cross Country Course and Ashton Prairie in Iowa City. His dedication and philanthropy to the University of Iowa culminated in his family receiving the Ashton Family Spirit Award in 2022.

Bill loved his country and proudly served in the U.S Army as a Ranger and Combat engineer officer. But above all, he loved his family and was so proud of being an Ashton. He was happiest at his cabin along the Mississippi River while fishing, duck-hunting, bird-watching, planting wildflowers, cutting wood, making jam, and researching genealogy. Bill shared his love for the cabin with his family and friends and it will continue to be a special place in his family’s heart.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Ann (Milligan) Ashton, brother James Ashton, his daughters Susan (Todd) McCloy, Patricia (Erik) Rolfstad, and his son Steven (Claudia) Ashton. He is also survived by his 9 grandchildren whom he was so proud of – Andy (Mikana) Ashton, Abby (Aaron) Kelly, Michael McCloy, Allison McCloy, William Rolfstad, Mary Rolfstad, Elizabeth Rolfstad, Isabella Ashton, and Alessia Ashton. He was recently blessed with 4 great-children. He was a favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Janet Ross, twin brother George Ashton, and his son David Ashton and Dave’s wife Kay (Eckerle) Ashton.

The family graciously asks that memorial donations be made to McAnthony Window, River Action, or any charity of your choice.