William Terry T. Slayton, a lifelong resident of Muskegon Michigan, and lately of Rockford Michigan, died September 10, 2012, at the age of 86. Terry was born in Benton Harbor, on January 3, 1926, to Willis F. and Kathleen (Murphy) Slayton. He is survived by his brother Dennis (Jan) Slayton of Brainerd, Minnesota. When 19, Terry was awarded a Purple Heart when wounded during fighting with U.S. forces at the Battle of the Bulge. Using the G.I. Bill, he graduated from Michigan State University with an English degree. He had a successful career in sales with publisher, Prentice Hall. Terry had five children with his wife, Rita (Bluhm) who died in 1986. Surviving are Michael Slayton of Grand Haven; William Patrick (Kim) Slayton of Montague; Margot (Bill) Slater of Holton; Kathleen Paddock of Herrin, Illinois; Mark (Jennifer) Slayton of Holland; 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Terry married Sandy McMaster in 2005 and lived on a lake in Rockford, but kept his sport fishing boat in Muskegon. He was an avid fisherman and camper, who continued to hunt until the fall of 2011. As an advocate for protecting the Lake Michigan environment, he was always ready for friends and Lake Michigan. Sandy has two adult daughters, Katie (Fritz) Hocking of Chicago, (granddaughter Abbie) and Annie (James) Hart of Los Angeles. Terry died peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was cremated through Crandell Funeral Home in Fremont. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated Monday, September 17, 2012 at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 6382 S. Maple Island Rd, Fremont, MI 49412 (231-924-3389). Friends will be received from 10:00 am until start of Mass at 11:00 am. A military ceremony will be conducted at the end of Mass. Luncheon will follow in the Church Hall. Guests are welcome to sign the Guest Book and convey messages to the family through the Crandell Funeral Home website, http://www.crandellfh.com. Friends are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Alliance for the Great Lakes in memory of Terry.