Billy John Carlton

Dr. Billy John Carlton was born February 2, 1920 to Ralph and Nellie Carlton. He was born in a snowstorm, and the doctor from the town of Udall came to their farm by horse and buggy. Billy was raised on the farm with his sister, Dorothy. They rode their horses to school in Udall, and Billy became the valedictorian of his high school class. He was raised attending the local Congregational Church in Udall. He decided as a young man that farming wasn't the life he wanted. Wanting financial security, Billy left the farm to seek a higher education, attending several different colleges including Friends College in Wichita and Southwestern College in Winfield, as well as a dental college in Kansas City . He was part of a college singing group that toured area churches, singing gospel music. On July 7, 1941 and before he reached his final educational goal, he married a farm girl, Eileen Daughenbaugh of Burdett , Kansas . He was broke but she accepted his proposal of marriage on the third attempt. They celebrated their wedding day by sharing a sundae. Their jobs didn't allow them to live together for the first year after their marriage. Billy entered the military during World War Two and served in the Army Air Corps, and his education led to his learning to fly fighter airplanes. The war ended prior to his deployment overseas, so he resumed his education and managed to get into dental school. He became a dentist in the town of St. John , Kansas , where he and Eileen lived for decades. He worked as a dentist until retirement in 1984. While living in St. John , he attended the Methodist church and sang in their choir. He was also a member of the local Lions Club, and rose to be president of a Kansas dental association. On their vacations, he and Eileen visited all 50 states plus Canada . Upon retiring, he and Eileen moved to Aurora , Colorado , to a condo on a golf course, since golf was another interest of his. For several years, they spent winters in Scottsdale , AZ. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister. He passed away peacefully with family at his side on September 3, 2013 at the Swedish Hospital in Englewood , CO .