William James Layton Jr.

CAMBRIDGE - William James Layton Jr., affectionately known as "Tank" and "Billy" went from labor to external reward on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, in Wilkes Barre, Pa. Billy was born Aug. 9, 1951, in Cambridge, to Georgia Layton and the late William Layton Sr. He received his early education in the Dorchester County Public Schools (Pine Street School and St. Clair Elementary School). He attended Maces Lane High School and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1969. Though Billy graduated from Cambridge High School, he was a devoted member of the Maces Lane High School Class of 1969. Upon completion of high school, Billy enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After completing basic training at the Naval Station Great Lakes, he was stationed in at the Philadelphia Naval Station. After his discharge in 1974, he continued his education at Luzerne County Community College and later earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Nursing and became a licensed Registered Nurse. Billy was an Emergency Room, Surgical, Operating Room and Critical Care Registered Nurse who devoted himself to helping and saving people. He worked in many health care facilities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, neighboring cities and states. In his spare time, he was a football referee and baseball umpire. Billy was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, godfather and friend. He loved his family. His nieces and nephews meant the world to him as if they were his own children. He was a member of the Jaycees, actively participated in Big Brothers and Big Sisters, America Softball Association and the Pennsylvania Referee Association. He was a member of the Golden Rule Lodge 15 of the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons where he held offices of Junior and Senior Deacon, Junior and Senior Warden. He was also a member of American Legion Post 781. Billy's hobbies included but were not limited to darts, fishing and golf. He enjoyed his days on the boat with his loyal fishing buddies, Kenny Harris (Julio), Frank Ausby. He also enjoyed golfing with Velma Shipp, Lionel Layton, Gregory Askins Jr. and Sr. Billy was preceded in death by his father, William Layton Sr.; aunt, Minnie Godfrey, maternal grandmother, Lena Strand; maternal grandfather, Tom Strand; paternal grandmother, Helen Collins-Layton; and paternal grandfather, William Kiah. Billy leaves to cherish all the wonderful memories of him mother, Georgia Layton; wife of 35 years, Olga Layton; his precious girls, Nadia and Nina; sisters, Velma Shipp (Michael), Davette Askins (Gregory Sr.), Janice Ausby (Frank); brothers, Bruce Layton (Helen), Lionel Layton (Katheine), Frank Ausby, Roger Pinder; sisters-in-law, Marion Ritsick (Joseph); brother-in-law, Peter Glowatski (Barbara); nieces, LaTadra Layton, Alicia Ausby, Kayla Layton, Kieya Layton, Ashley Ausby, Tenesha Askins, Michelle Shipp, and Jennifer Ritsick; nephews, Brandon Finney, Teekari Layton, Gregory Askins Jr., Frank A. Ausby, Peter C. Glowatski; great-niece, Michele Hovey; great-nephews, James Hovey, Vincent Layton, Brandon Finney; aunts, Thelma Young, Alice Thompson; uncle, Edgar Strand; numerous cousins including, Regina Humaine, Albert Young, Barry Young, Charlene Strand; a generation of friends and his Masonic family. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Bethel AME Church, 623 Pine St., Cambridge, with a viewing two hours prior to the services. American Legion and Masonic Services will be held during the last hour of the viewing. Condolences may be sent to www.henryfuneralhomepa.com.