Obituary of Joyce Walton

Joyce Ann (Hennenfent) Walton was born November 16, 1931, in Monmouth, Illinois, to her parents William and Mabel (Hopkins) Hennenfent on the family farm. In her life she maintained a passion for tending of the fields – nurturing gardens, flowers, and indeed all life, including the birds and people of this earth. She surrendered her task of gardening and the pulling of weeds after 93 years on this terra firma, which she considered her temporary home, on March 22, 2025. After graduating from high school in a one room schoolhouse, she obtained a bachelor’s degree at Monmouth College, Monmouth Il., where she met the love of her life, William Grimm Walton. She then completed a degree in nursing at Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Joyce and William were married on May 21, 1956, in Pittsburgh, PA where he was completing a seminary degree. She turned her nursing skills into the care and nurturing of their four children: William Mark, John Thomas, Kathy Ellen, and Ann-Marie. As the wife of a Presbyterian minister, Joyce also married into the life of the church and service to God. This journey took them to Vernon Presbyterian Church in Big Bend, WI; Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church in Mundelein, IL; and finally Central Presbyterian Church in Owensboro, KY. In retirement, they settled in Frankfort, KY and continued to be active in the Kentucky Presbytery, finding a spiritual community and home at both First Presbyterian Church and South Frankfort Presbyterian Church. Joyce had an active part and leadership with church groups and organizations, particularly women’s circle, Bible study groups, Cursillo, and Walk to Emmaus. She was also a member of the Garden Club of Frankfort and Audubon Bird Society. Joyce and William participated in several mission trips to Mexico and to New Orleans for disaster relief following hurricane Katrina. Throughout her life, Joyce had a passion for crafting and creating. She was an accomplished knitter and seamstress, making much of the family’s clothing through the years. She also enjoyed crewel embroidery and cross stitch, creating beautiful works of art for her home and family. She was a passionate decorator, rotating the décor of her home to beautifully reflect the seasons. Preceding her in death were her husband and life partner of 52 years, Rev. William G. Walton, and her sister, Donna Louise Lee. Joyce is survived by her four children: William Mark (Barbara) Walton, John Thomas Walton, Kathy Ellen Walton, and Ann-Marie (Rick) Rhoads; nine grandchildren: Holly, Amos (Jessica), Billy (Bailey), Chelsea, Mary (Ed), Carolyn, Theresa, Samuel, and Ocean; and seven great-grandchildren: Zoey, Journey, Aryana, River, MacArthur, Ava and Aria. Funeral services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Frankfort, KY on Thursday, April 3rd at 4:00 pm. Visitation will begin at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your local hospice chapter, First Presbyterian Church of Frankfort, or a charitable organization of choice in her name. Joyce will be laid to rest next to her beloved Bill with a graveside service on Saturday, April 5th at 10:00 am at Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery in Monmouth, Il.