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SALT LAKE CITY -- The family of former U.S. Congressman Bill Orton released details for his funeral Monday night. The following is a press release from the family detailing information about the services:
Tribute to Bill Orton
Known to Utah and his Washington colleagues as a political maverick, former U.S. Congressman Bill Orton is remembered for his American and Family legacy. His family is proud to remember a husband and father who lived selflessly as he offered unmatched life experiences and a man whose public service has shaped public policy well into the future.
"This last year has been Bill's gift to our family," said Jacquelyn Orton. "After the past decade living in severe pain, undergoing multiple back surgeries and an emergency heart bypass, Bill understood the precious nature of time with those he loved. He lived selflessly to build long-lasting memories for me and our two sons.
"Over the past year, our family has visited ancestral, LDS Church and American history sites, attended the Democratic National Convention and the historical inauguration of President Obama.
"Bill's adventure in the Sand Dunes this past week was to experience one of Utah's many treasures with our sons. It has been amazing to have had such a full life with Bill and our sons.
"I would like to thank the many people who have reached out to me and our family and showed such kindness over the past few days."
Bill Orton was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 1997. While representing Utah's Third District, he served on the Banking, Budget, Small Business, and Foreign Affairs committees. As a leader in budget policy issues, Orton argued against the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 saying that the measure was not consistent with the Constitution. The Act passed despite his interpretation of the illegal nature of the law.
Following his departure from Congress, Orton resumed the practice of law and was a member of the legal counsel of the plaintiff in Idaho Potato Growers v. Ruben, the case that led to the 1998 overturn of the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas F. Hogan when he ruled that unilateral amendment or repeal of only parts of a statute violated the U.S. Constitution. The ruling was subsequently affirmed on June 25, 1998, by a 6-3 decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in the case Clinton v. City of New York.
The case was brought by the then New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. Historians have noted that this may be the only time a member of the U.S. Congress has both voted on a matter then later successfully overturned that matter in a judicial decision before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Service Information
Viewing: Thursday, April 23, 5-8 pm at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple
Viewing prior to funeral: Friday, April 24, 10-11:30 a.m., Federal Heights LDS Ward, 1300 Fairfax Ave.
Funeral: Friday, April 24, Noon, Federal Heights LDS Ward, 1300 Fairfax Ave.
Burial: Friday, April 24, 4:00 p.m. Ben Lomond Cemetery, 526 E. 2850 N. North Ogden
