William (Doug) Walton, 77, of Damascus, a retired Fire Protection Engineer, died on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Born in Vineland, NJ, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army.  Mr. Walton grew up in Silver Spring and attended the University of Maryland, earning a B.S. in Fire Protection Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and eventually becoming a Professional Engineer.

Mr. Walton worked in fire protection at the Central Intelligence Agency, in research and management positions at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and has been an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland.  Mr. Walton has a long list of contributions to the understanding of building and industrial fires, through his measurements in the laboratory and in field tests.  He was one of the section editors of the SFPE Handbook, a Fellow of the Society, and received many other professional awards.

Mr. Walton was an Eagle Scout and he belonged to the Order of the Arrow as a Boy Scout.  He was a member of the American Red Cross First Aid and Rescue Unit as a teenager and then became a volunteer at the College Park Fire Department while at the university.  After retirement he worked part time on several projects at NIST; the Palisades Fire Investigation most recently.

Mr. Walton loved skiing.  After retirement he became a ski patroller at Liberty Mountain Resort.  He also loved hiking, camping, bike riding, and working in the yard and around the house.  Many neighbors and community members benefited from his ability to fix things.  

Mr. Walton is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and May Walton, and his son, Scott.  He is survived by his wife Sharon, his son Keith, his daughter Kelly (James), his brother Ken (Cindy), two grandchildren, Kolden and Soren Willacker, and nieces and nephews.

A private service for family will be held at a later time.

Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website at molesworthwilliams.com

** Please do not send flowers or cards to the funeral home **