He was born in Macon, Ga., the youngest of four sons of the late Hiram and Wilhelmina Molton. He grew up in North Augusta, S.C., where he graduated from high school, during which time he was a coach and staff member at the YMCA in Augusta, Ga. He attended Augusta Junior College and the University of Louisville School of Music in Kentucky. After college, he began working for the Augusta Herald where he later became classified advertising manager, the youngest advertising manager of a daily newspaper in America at that time. He was also music director in local churches and spent eight years of honorable service with the U.S. Naval Reserve.

He met his wife, the former Marceline Clubb of Spartanburg, while they both played the violin as members of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. They wed in 1953 at the First Baptist Church in Asheville. After working as advertising director at several newspapers throughout the southeastern U.S., he moved his family to Hendersonville in 1967, where he worked as advertising director for the Times-News. He was also music director at Mud Creek Baptist Church for many years.

In 1970, he opened Ellis Molton Advertising, a national syndicate ad agency which is still operated by his sons. He was a former Rotarian, Kiwanian and a member of the Elks Lodge, American Legion, and Crooked Creek Golf Club Dog-Fighter Association.

Mr. Molton was preceded in death by a son, Donald Molton, daughter-in-law Consuella Molton, and two brothers Carroll and Ronald Molton.

He is survived by his wife Marcie and their five children, Randall Molton, Marcie Burlett and her husband David; Wendell Molton, Howard Molton and his wife Barb, all of Hendersonville, as well as Russell Molton of Augusta, Ga. Also survived by his eight grand children, Shane and Adrian Molton of Hendersonville, Michael Molton of Phoenix, Ariz., Shelly and Lydia Molton of Augusta, Richie Burlett and his wife Christie, Jessica Owenby and her husband Brooks, and Brice Molton; and one great grandchild, Aidan Burlett of Hendersonville. He is

also survived by brother, Dr. Warren Molton of Kansas City, Mo.

He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his love for golf and music, his talents as an entrepreneur, his advertising creativity, and his love for his family. As a husband and father, he was a role model and mentor.

A public memorial service will be held at Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville on Sunday, July 13, 2008 at

2 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Bares It All For Cancer, 224 South Grove St. Suite # G, Hendersonville, N.C. 28792 or Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adam&squo;s Way, Randleman, N.C. 27317.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements. An online register book is available at www.thosshepherd.com

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