L. Alton Williams, of Norfolk, VA, passed away October 29, 2011, with his family by his side. Alton was born on January 3, 1934, in Edgecomb County, North Carolina (Tarboro). He attended elementary schools in Tarboro, Williamston, China Grove, Raleigh, Bailey and Wilson, North Carolina. His family moved to Norfolk in 1948, and he has ever since considered it home. He graduated from Maury High School in 1952. In 1951 as a senior, he met the love of his life; Earlene Saunders. From their first date in 1951, they were a couple, and would have 59 years together before Earlene would pass away on March 6, 2010, in his arms. Alton started his business career in 1952 with the Norfolk Southern Railroad, which at that time only ran from Norfolk, Virginia to Charlotte, North Carolina. After three years of no promotions, Alton knew it was time for a change. In 1955, Alton went to work for Seaboard Airline Railroad and moved to Richmond. Things started to happen then, first a promotion to office manager, which moved the family to Baltimore, Maryland, where Alton and Earlene's daughter, Linda was born. While in Baltimore, Alton was promoted to Sales Representative for the State of Maryland. This promotion leads to another promotion, this time in Chicago as the Sales Manager for the states of Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. The winters were too harsh in Chicago, so Alton and Earlene moved back "home" to Norfolk, where he sold Prudential Insurance. Transportation was really Alton's love, so he turned to the trucking industry. He worked for Transcon Lines, Mercury Motor Lines, Old Dominion Freight System, Estes, and Yellow Freight System. He also worked for General Electric in the TV plant. Alton also was an auditor in the early 70's with the U.S. General Accounting office in Washington DC. Enough was enough, with his good friend, Bill Blanchard; he started A&B Cartage and Delivery Service. In 1985 Alton and Earlene sold all of their possessions, including the house and furnishings and traveled the continental United States. While traveling Alton was offered a position with CSX Corporation in Orlando, Florida. While in Florida, they became expectant grandparents, and since family trumps everything, Alton took an early retirement, and moved back home to Virginia and resided locally since 1988. Alton was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Alton is survived by his daughter, Linda Peterson and her husband Mike, granddaughters, Wendy O'Neil and Katie O'Neil, all of Virginia Beach, sister and brother-in-law, Mona Raye and Cecil Whitehurst of Florida, brother-in-law and wife Bobby and Charlene Starnes of Virginia Beach, nieces Pam Barnes, and husband Gary of Chesapeake and Kathy Whitehurst of Florida, nephew, Robert Starnes of Virginia Beach, and Mike's son, Samuel Peterson. Alton was adopted by Emily, Ali, Cari, Denise, Noah and Dahlia Rose as their "granddaddy" too. The family would like to thank Dr. James Miller, Dr. Clayton Smith, Sentara Hospice Care, and the 2nd floor nurses of Virginia Beach General Hospital for everything they have done for Alton. Because of these caring people, the family was able to have some quality time with Alton. The family will receive friends Sunday, October 30, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Hollomon-Brown, Lynnhaven Chapel. The burial service will be held at noon on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Granby Street in Norfolk. The memorial service will be held at Hollomon-Brown Lynnhaven Chapel on Virginia Beach Boulevard, Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. We Loved Him So.