Alton grew up in the Town of New Hudson and attended Black Creek School. Later he received his GED Diploma. He served with the Army during WW2 attaining the rank of Private CD C in the 103 rd Combat Battalion. He served as a machine gunner and rifle sharp shooter in Northern France, Central Europe and the Rhineland. Alton was awarded the good conduct medal, European-African-Middle-Eastern -Service Medal and Three Bronze Stars. Following his military service, Alton was employed for many years at Acme Electric Corp. in Cuba where he was an assembler and sheet metal worker, retiring from there in 1987. After his retirement, he was caretaker at Riverside Cemetery in Belfast and did volunteer work for Office of the Aging, transporting elderly people to places they needed to go.

Aton enjoyed working with ponies and attending horse pulls in the area. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Surviving are thee sons, Thomas (Judy) Barber of Belfast, Dennis Barber of Wellsville and Larry (Bonnie) Barber of Belmont; a daughter, Wendy (Tad) Reinbold of Fillmore; 20 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Alton was predeceased by a granddaughter, Traci Barber; six brothers, Wayland (Lila) Barber, Lawrence (Dorothy) Barber, Hugh (Ida) Barber, Ralph (Leta) Barber, Lynn (Alethea) Barber and Elbert (Elizabeth) Barber; and two sisters, Ruth (Leslie) Clark and Gladys (Glen) Roat.