William H. Newton

SOUTH KENT — William H. Newton, 92, of South Kent, died Nov. 1, 2011, at New Milford Hospital. He was the husband of the late Charlotte (Hagman) Newton, whom he married on Valentine’s Day in 1943. Mrs. Newton died April 16, 2011.Mr. Newton was born in South Kent on February 28, 1919, the son of the late Leroy S. and Hazel (Ketchell) Newton.He was a graduate of Kent Center School and attended night school at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. He was a lifetime dairy farmer. He was a member of Housatonic FFA for more than 25 years and was active in 4-H activities. He was a past master of Kent Grange and a member of Pomona Grange and the state Grange. He was also past president of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. He was store chairman for the New Milford and Bethel Agway stores.Mr. Newton was a member of the Kent Inland Wetlands Commission and a veteran member of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member and deacon of the First Congregational Church of Kent for many years.On Oct. 9, 2011, he competed at the Warren Woods tractor pull and placed fifth.Mr. Newton is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Frank McCann of Kent; three grandchildren, Kathy McCann, Ane Starr and her husband Mathew, and Bill McCann; and four great-grandchildren, Katherine, Sammantha and William Starr and Rigby Begley. He was predeceased by a brother, Arthur Newton; and a sister, Marian Plumb.A memorial service will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Kent. Private burial will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the care of the Lillis Funeral Home in New Milford.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Kent, 97 N. Main St., Kent, CT 06757; or the Kent Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 355, Kent, CT 06757.