William Carroll "Willie" Gatton, 97, of Leonardtown, MD, died November 12, 2007 in St. Mary's Nursing Center, Leonardtown, MD.

Born October 27, 1910 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late William Robert Gatton and Ada Banagan Gatton. Mr. Gatton had worked as a farmer, custodian, school bus driver, St Mary's County jailer and bailiff for the court.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Frances Knott and Gloria Hayden both of Hollywood, MD, three sons, John W. Gatton of Hollywood, MD, James I. Gatton of Leonardtown, MD, Charles "Dicky" Gatton of Callaway, MD, 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Catherine Evans Gatton, a sister, Elizabeth Norris and J. Alvin Gatton.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 15, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Life Celebration Chapel, Leonardtown, MD. Prayers will be recited at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 16, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD. Reverend John Dakes will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Our Lady's Church Cemetery, Medley's Neck, Leonardtown, Md.