Paul Edward Walton, age 79 of Big Rapids, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at his home. He was born December 2, 1929 in Union Springs, New York, the son of Xenophen P. and Alice L. (Palmer) Walton. Ed was honorably discharged from the United States Army. He attended Ben Franklin University earning his degree in engineering. Ed spent the over 30 years as an engineer in the Aerospace industry; following his retirement he taught for the next 15 to 20 years, most recently at Ferris State University. Each day Ed looked forward to early morning coffee in downtown Big Rapids with his friends who affectionately knew him as "Crazy Ed" . He is survived by, 2 daughters; Denise (Tom) Patton and Melissa (David) Rynders all of Hot Spring Village, AR; a son, Jon (Katrina McFarland) Walton of Pebble Beach, CA; 8 grandchildren; a sister Ann Davitt of Newburyport, MA and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Ed was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Uhl. There will be no public services.