Bill was born November 24, 1927, Port Jervis, N.Y. He attended the Port Jervis Schools and graduated from high school in 1946. Worked in a local silk mill at night throughout high school years. Attempted to enlist in U.S.M.C. in 1947 but could not make the weight requirement. Enlisted in the U.S.A.F. October 1948. Married Barbara J. Cooper of Port Jervis, N.Y., December 29, 1951.
Children: Daughter, Dawn Rene’ Sutton, born January 16, 1953; daughter, Lori Jean Sutton, born September 24, 1959; son, William A. Sutton, Jr., born August 10, 1961.

Basic Training, Lackland AFB, Texas, Tech. School - Aircraft Sheet Metal Repair, Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Illinois, graduated June 14, 1949; assigned 9th Maintenance Squadron, Fairfield-Suisun AFB, CA; transferred to Hamilton AFB, CA then to Camp Stoneman prior to assignment to the 31st Strat. Recon. Sqdn., Kadena AFB, Okinawa; 31st SRS reassigned to Japan and designated as the 91st SRS at Johnson AFB, then reassigned to Yokota AFB While at Yokota, I worked at the 6161st Maint. Sqdn. Base shop. December 1951 re: orders to rotate to the Z.1. by way of Tachikawa AFB Rep. Depot. Remained at Tachikawa additional week for air transport to U.S. rather then enduring another cruise on a troop ship. While waiting for flight at Haneda Airport I met the Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles and his entourage. Mr. Dulles invited me to join his party if my flight was delayed. Before leaving Yokota AFB I requested permission from Lt. Col. Frederic McCoy to get married as per A.F. regulations in order to receive the family allowance. Assigned to the 93rd Bomb Wing, Castle AFB CA for remainder of enlistment. Discharged August 1952 and returned to Port Jervis, N.Y.

Employed by the Erie Railroad Company as a Locomotive Fireman and in 1959 was promoted to Locomotive Engineer. Railroading paid very well, but required long periods away from home and the majority of work was at night. Little time was left for a family life so after 12 years on the road, I decided a career change was necessary.