John William "Bill" Ashton

Bill Ashton (John William Ashton) passed away Tuesday, April 30 in Miami, Florida. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years Peggy. Bill was born on October 7, 1930 in Lynnville, Tennessee, the first child of Howard Reynolds Ashton and Virgie Lou (Connell) Ashton. In addition to Peggy and his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Marjorie Ann Ashton and Betty Joyce (Ashton) Bandy. He graduated in 1948 from Jones High School in Lynnville and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. in 1949. His battalion trained at Parris Island, SC, Great Lakes Naval Station and shipped out to San Diego for 2 weeks expecting to go to Korea. Instead, their orders came in for Miami Homestead, Florida. He always said he was lucky. After his service was completed, he enrolled at University of Miami School of Engineering. He worked part time at Coral Gables First National Bank during college. This is where he met Peggy. They married in December of 1953 and welcomed four children. He is survived by William Howard Ashton, Robert Charles Ashton, Carol Ashton (Lee) Ives and Thomas John Ashton and four granddaughters, Lauren Ashton Ives, Kathleen Ann Ives, Margaret Iva (Ben) Ashton (Ben) and Elisabeth E. Ashton. Also surviving is his brother Robert Reynolds Ashton (Ellen Durrett) and many nieces and nephews also survive. Although he graduated in 1956 from the University of Miami with honors in Electrical Engineering, he was hired by the bank as a young bank officer and later was Vice President and Cashier. During the 1960’s, his role changed with the new computer age. He learned mainframe programming (briefly worked for NCR), returned to Coral Gables and was later hired by First Federal Saving and Loan (Amerifirst) as a Senior Systems Programmer where he wrote the programming for the first ATMs in Florida at Publix Supermarkets. He retired from Amerifirst in 1997. He was the Jack of all Trades: from electrical work and car mechanics to making wood frames and fixing home appliances (He even made a console TV from Heathkit, soldering all the electronics components). He was always available to help solve a problem or repair something. He loved his family and he will be missed dearly by his children and grandchildren. He was a wonderful father and friend. Our father and mother are reunited for eternity. The visitation will be 11:00am -12:30pm Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, at Bennett-May and Pierce Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 12:30pm., on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, at Bennett-May and Pierce Funeral Home. The burial will follow at Lynnwood Cemetery in Lynnville, TN. The family request memorial donations be made to Lynnwood Cemetery, PO Box 305 Lynnville, TN 38472 Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Bill Ashton (John William Ashton).

John William "Bill" Ashton

October 7, 1930 - April 30, 2024