Warren Wilton, of Putaruru Smallbore Rifle Club, sadly passed away on 2nd April following a vehicle accident in Tokoroa on 1st April.
Published in The New Zealand Herald on Apr. 8, 2020:
WILTON, Warren Albert. Suddenly, on the 2nd April 2020, Aged 72 years. Dearly loved husband of Naera. Much loved Dad and father-in-law of Jenny, and Geoffrey and Hannah. Loved brother and brother-in-law of Elizabeth and Mate, Ngaio and Roger, Cynthia and Philip, Anita and Lindsay, the late Desley and Ian, and the late Stuart and Christine.
Warren loved his family, engineering, contract bridge and smallbore shooting, and was always willing to give up his time to help others.
Due to the current circumstances, a Memorial Service to celebrate Warrens life will be held at a later date.
South Waikato Funeral Services Ltd, FDANZ P O Box 459, Tokoroa 3444
Warren Wilton
Warren was born in Martinborough and grew up in small town New Zealand, shooting rabbits with a .22 sporting rifle, along with brother Stuart, whenever he could afford ammunition from his paper run money.
After college he joined the University Rifle Club at Christchurch, and was a keen shooter, carrying his rifle to the club on his back while riding his Vespa scooter. On one occasion, a ticketing error by the airline led to him being given the wrong check-in time and arriving as the plane was taxiing to the runway. He was rushed to the waiting plane and boarded with his rifle on his back and carrying his bag and a large box of strawberries.
At this time there was a Christchurch interclub weekly competition with 5 grades and 8 members in each team. Warren filled in gaps in the lower grades when needed, but shot regularly in the senior grade, usually as first shooter down to put in a score that would give the rest of the team confidence. His personal grading at his peak was Master Grade, but he was usually shooting in A Grade. He also shot several times for the Christchurch Association in the inter-association Andrew Faulkner Shield team.
Warren enjoyed attending the region’s club championships, both shooting his own cards and scoping for the less experienced shooters he encouraged – and often transported – to participate.
When Warren moved to Tokoroa he joined the Putaruru Smallbore Rifle Club and again shot in club, interclub and inter-association matches, including Teams of Ten. He travelled widely to club championships and encouraged young shooters to compete. Together with John Henderson he coached the local school team while they had shooting as an elective sport. Warren was also a member of the Tokoroa Shooting Sports Complex.
When Warren’s eyesight deteriorated he had to stop his own shooting, but still was very involved with the Putaruru weekly club night shooting, and the South Waikato Championship, even drafting in family members to help out.
Shooting was a vital and greatly enjoyed part of Warren’s life.
(Provided by Naera Wilton)