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Alan W. Layton, decorated World War II veteran and founder of Layton Construction, Utah's largest commercial construction company, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. He was 91 years old.

Alan W. Layton was born on Dec. 29, 1917 in Oakley, Idaho, but his family relocated to Kaysville, Utah shortly after his birth. He is the great-grandson of Christopher Layton, an early settler of Davis County (Utah) for whom the city of Layton is named.

Growing up, Layton enjoyed fishing, hunting and sports and was a standout high school athlete, lettering in baseball, basketball, football and track at Davis High School. Summer work making 35 cents an hour at the Kaysville cannery, where he worked 16- to 18-hour days, taught him the value of hard work.

Layton enrolled in the University of Utah in the fall of 1937, where he played forward for the Runnin' Utes basketball team and was involved with the ROTC. In June 1941, when he was just 12 hours short of earning his degree in engineering, Layton was called to active duty in the Army. Six months later, the attack on Pearl Harbor sealed his obligation to military duty. During the commotion of balancing college, military training and preparation to serve in a World War, Alan met his dark-haired beauty, Mona Snelgrove. They married in September 1942 and eventually became the parents of 10 children--seven girls and three boys.

Captain Layton was sent to France as a commanding officer and was in the midst of intense military action. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in 1945 and returned home a decorated veteran, receiving the prestigious Purple Heart.

At his release after months of rehabilitation, the doctor told Layton, "Here are your medical records--you're totally disabled. The retirement board recommends that you never engaged in any physical or strenuous exercise, that you take it easy and be careful and maybe you'll be able to live for a few more years."

Layton didn't take the doctor's advice.

"I told myself that I was going to get better," Layton said. "I was going to try to get physically strong and do something productive."

After his return from the war he went to work. While with the Bureau of Reclamation, he worked in the Design and Construction Division doing contract administration work. His knack for construction was tapped on several occasions, providing him with the skills to earn extra money as a moonlighter building a drive-in restaurant and a few homes, including his own. These sideline construction jobs fostered in him the desire to start his own construction company.

One fateful day in the mid-winter of 1952, Layton announced to his wife Mona that he wanted to leave his government job, telling her, "I think I would like to start my own construction company." On Feb. 13, 1953, with a wife, six small children, a new home and funding from $1,600 in retirement savings, Layton Construction was officially organized. Layton finished one room in his basement where he set up an office and included his family in the company operations as Layton Construction grew, with his wife and daughters answering phones, paying bills and helping to write payroll and his sons learning the construction business from a young age at the handle of a broom or shovel.

With a focus on commercial projects, Layton got his first big break when awarded a contract to build 17 offices for City Finance Company along the Wasatch Front and in southern Idaho. Layton also broke into the educational sector when he sent his wife and young daughter to Coalville for a bid opening on an addition to South Summit High School. Layton Construction won the bid and completed the project on time and within budget. School construction was a mainstay for the company for many years and continues to be an important sector today. The company today serves many different markets, including healthcare, hospitality and municipal construction.

As time went on, Layton gave more responsibility to his sons and wanted them to become more involved in running the business. In 1979 he asked his son Alan S. to become president of Layton Construction and in 1981 made plans to step aside. In 1985, he and Mona left the state of Utah to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Oldest son Alan S. Layton headed up the company until 2004, when he left to serve as a mission president for the LDS Church in Rochester, New York. David S. Layton took over the reigns in 2004 and continues to lead the company as President and CEO today. Alan S. Layton currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Under the leadership of his sons, Alan W. Layton's company has grown steadily, with offices in Salt Lake City, Utah; Phoenix, Ariz.; Irvine, Calif.; Boise, Idaho; Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii and Nashville, Tenn. and projects located throughout the United States.

Alan W. Layton lived by many important values and passed those on to his family and workers. He was committed to his people. He said, "Employ wonderful, dedicated, loyal people who [are] allowed to get involved in making major decisions and along with the leadership, grow and develop their abilities." The results of this commitment are clear, as many employees have retired after decades-long careers at Layton or continue to work after two or three decades of employment with the company. Layton also taught the value of hard work both at home and on the job, the importance of goals and priorities, and made honor and integrity the forefront of his company and his life.

Within buildings constructed by Alan and his company, people have been educated, entertained and corrected. They have worshipped and have mourned. From Richins' drive-in to crowning projects of his career including the Jordan River Temple, Alan W. Layton's construction career was rich and full. His projects have changed Utah's skyline and economy. He has left a legacy that will last well into the future, just as the company he founded creates buildings that will do the same.

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