John Lawrence Bott, 82 of Paxton, passed away at 2:08 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at Accolade Healthcare of Paxton Senior Living.

Private family funeral services will be held with burial in Glen Cemetery, Paxton. Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton is assisting the family with arrangements.

John was born April 17, 1938 in Park Falls, Wisconsin the son of Comello Candido and Blanch Bourdages Bott. He married Gloria Payne June 20, 1965 in Jasper County. She preceded him in death February 21, 2019.

He is survived by two sons, Raymond Bott of Urbana, Donald Bott of Paxton; one sister, Teresa (Rodney) Bakkala of Kenosha, Wisconsin; one brother, Michael Bott of Kenosha, Wisconsin and three nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

John graduated from J. E. Murphy High School, Hurley, Wisconsin. He proudly served in the United States Air Force for 23 years, retiring in 1981 as a TSGT. During that time, he had been in Vietnam, Iran and Guam. He and his family lived in various cities while in the Air Force and moved to Paxton in 1977. After his retirement he managed ECC, Paxton for a number of years until their closure and then worked at Paxton Variety Liquors.

He was a member of the Paxton American Legion Prairie Post 150, Paxton VFW Post 4214, a former Boy Scout Leader and a former member and past president of the Paxton Chamber of Commerce. John enjoyed drawing, whittling and fishing.

Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor's choice. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com .