Dayton Stuart "Shorty" Anderson

Dayton Stuart "Shorty" Anderson, 85, of Morganton, NC died Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at the Burke Palliative Care Center in Valdese, NC. Born in Johnson City, TN on August 3, 1926, he was the son of the late Stacy Anderson and Sara Jane Anderson. Dayton was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. He was a retired Staff Sergeant with the US Army. During his 21 years of military service, Dayton served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was a retired Plant 1 employee of Drexel Heritage Furnishings and was an avid gardener.Dayton is survived by his son, Bryan Anderson and wife, Angela, of Morganton; a daughter, Connie Hallyburton and husband, Robin, of Morganton; grandchildren, Nicholas Anderson, Matthew Buchanan, Andrea Hallyburton, and Casey Smith; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Lawrence Anderson and wife, Betty, of Knoxville, TN; and a number of nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, Dayton was preceded in death by his wife, Lydia Louise McGalliard Anderson; a brother, Archie Anderson; and a half-sister, Ruth.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 23, 2011 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with Rev. George Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Alpine Cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Army. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690 or to Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 381, Morganton, NC 28680.