William W. Garton, 70, of 190 Miller Road, Slippery Rock Township, died unexpectedly at 11:53 a.m. Tuesday in the emergency room of the Grove City Medical Center.

Born Aug. 9, 1935, in Cambria County, Iowa, he was the son of Lester and Nelle Brown Garton.

He received a bachelor's degree from Simpson College and master's degrees in library science and history from the University of Illinois.

He retired in 1995 as library director at Bailey Library at Slippery Rock University, where he worked since 1978. He previously was director of the library at Simpson College from 1960 to 1971 and director of public services at the University of Illinois from 1971 to 1977.

Mr. Garton was a member of East Main Presbyterian Church, Grove City, where he was an elder and belonged to the choir and the bell choir.

He was active in the Institute for Learning in Retirement at SRU. He enjoyed reading, gardening, the outdoors, golf and Friday night bowling. He also contributed monthly book reviews for WREN magazine.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Sue Anderson Garton, whom he married June 2, 1956; three sons, Steven Garton and his wife, Ceil, of Hermitage, Scott Garton and his wife, Terry, of Evanston, Ill., and Jeff Garton and his wife, Sallie, of Pittsburgh; and a granddaughter, Emma Garton of Evanston.

A son, Kevin Garton, and a brother, Thane Garton, preceded him in death.

<B>GARTON </B>— Friends of William W. Garton, who died Tuesday, May 23, 2006, will be received from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the East Main Presbyterian Church, Grove City. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Donald Hoagland, senior pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery, Grove City.Arrangements are being handled by <B>Cunningham Funeral Home</B>, Grove City.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to East Main Presbyterian Church, 120 E. Main St., Grove City, PA 16127.