Orville E. “Speed” Compton, 82, Atlanta, passed away at 3:40 p.m. Sunday (March 25, 2012) at his home.

The funeral for Mr. Compton will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Atlanta Christian Church, Atlanta. Maurice Stribling and Andy Johnson will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Atlanta Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Memorial Hospice Services, Atlanta Rescue Squad or the Atlanta Library. Final arrangements are entrusted with Quiram-Peasley Funeral Home, Atlanta.

Orville E. “Speed” Compton was born Aug. 12, 1929, in Eminence Township, Atlanta, the son of Claude and Rena Weatherholt Compton. He married Joyce Johnson in Atlanta on July 10, 1954. She survives.

Also surviving Mr. Compton are his daughters, Peggy (Ron) Aper and Susan (Dean) Benedict, both of Atlanta; and son Matthew (Nancy) Compton, Colorado Springs, Colo.; six grandchildren, Angie Neville, Atlanta; Elizabeth (Darrell) Miller, Danvers; Elaina (R.J.) Romani, Eureka; Lyndi (Kory) Leesman, Hartsburg; and Meghan and Rachel Compton, Colorado Springs, Colo.; and two great-grandchildren, Kolton Neville and Raelyn Romani. 

Speed was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Wayne Compton; and one sister, Lois Compton. 

Speed was a 1947 graduate of Atlanta High School and served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He was a member of Atlanta Christian Church. Speed was a 58-year member of American Legion Post 341 and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Affairs. He retired from Hopkins Chemical Plant and farming. 

He enjoyed gardening, fishing, reading, Cubs baseball and his grandchildren.