Wilton Kenneth Decker Ken Mr. Wilton Decker known as Ken by his family and friends passed away peacefully on Thursday January 29 2004 of natural causes at Cedar Community in West Bend where he had been a resident. Ken was born March 10 1917 in Polk County IA. He graduated from East High School in Des Moines IA in 1936 and then joined the US Navy. He served on the Battleship Arizona mustered out in 1940 and was the first reservist to report for duty at Great Lakes Naval Base in December 8 1941. It was at Great Lakes where he met his future wife Ada Dozier who was the Admiral's secretary. Ken Ada were married in 1942 in Waukegan IL. During WWII he fought in eight major battles on various aircraft carriers with VF6 until he was wounded at Okinawa when a kamikaze aircraft hit the aircraft carrier Hancock. After recovering Ken started working for State Farm Insurance as an underwriter worked for CNW Railroad and in 1963 moved to Port Washington. Ken experimenting with Mr. E.E. Nunn at Northern Signal Company of Saukville invented different electrical components including some that were integrated into NASA Space Vehicles. He was a major contributor to the Federal Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices and was Pioneer of the Year in 2003 for the American Traffic Safety Association. Hew is listed in Who's Who of American Inventors. Ken played piano and his beloved Hammond organ. He sat in as a pianist for many jazz groups in recording studios all across the country for Audiophile Records. Ken traveled to all 50 states and many countries. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 17 in Port Washington and also enjoyed serving in the Port Washington Police Reserve. Ken loved camping boating and hiking. He is survived by his wife Ada of West Bend 1 daughter Joan (Frank) Paterson of Texas and 2 sons Keith (Jane) Decker of Madison and Wes (Maple) of Port Washington. He is further survived by 1 daughter-in-law Maureen Decker 9 grandchildren 3 great-grandchildren 2 great-great-grandchildren other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents 1 brother Russell Decker and 1 son Stephen W. Decker. Funeral Services will be held Thursday February 5th 2004 7PM at Eernisse Funeral Home. Funeal Services will be officiated by Ozaukee Lodge 17 FAM. Friends may call at the Eernisse Funeral Home 1600 W. Grand Ave. Port Washington Thursday from 5PM until the services at 7PM. br /Service:br /7:00 PM at Eernisse Funeral Home on February 5 2004 (a target=_blank href=http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=Port Washingtonstate=address=zip=zoom=8map/driving directions/a) br/br/