Obituary of William Royston Batstone

William Royston Batstone William Royston Batstone, age 92, died of cancer at his home on January 13, 2016. He was born to Edna and Roy Batstone at the Shelton Hospital, May 30, 1923. He grew up on the family farm on Mason Lake Road and attended the one room Oakland Bay Grade School until 6th grade before beginning school in Shelton. He graduated from Irene S. Reed High School in 1941. He lettered in football and was class president in his senior year. He joined the Navy in 1942 and was stationed several places and while stationed in Santa Rosa, California, married his high school sweetheart, Gertrude Viger. He became a torpedo man aboard the USS Wasp. Following his discharge from the Navy he worked a short time for Rayonier before attending the Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science. He ran the Batstone Funeral Home for 42 years. He drove the Shelton Hospital Ambulance for a number of years before acquiring his own ambulance. Bill was active in many civic organizations over the years. He was on the cemetery board for 41 years. He taught first aid classes, was on the Shelton General Hospital board from 1948 thru 1959. He was on the Mason General Hospital board from 1964 thru 1977 and was proud to have helped develop the building of the new Mason General Hospital. Bill also started the Batstone Hill Farm on Mason Lake Road growing Christmas trees and bough stock. He put in a driving range that was enjoyed by many for a number of years. In 2007 he married Ann Peters at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Olympia. He is survived by his son Deacon Bill Batstone Jr. (J.T.), daughter Carolyn Sebby (Kenneth), grandson Shawn Batstone (Andra, Kaitlyn and Cole), granddaughters Amy Savoie (Andy, Rorie), Beth Rodriguez (Julian, Alex), Rick Keller (Trina) and his wife, Ann. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to Mason General Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1668, Shelton WA 98584.