Joyce Walkotten

Joyce Walkotten, 87 of Scotts, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on the calm Sunday evening of February 16, 2025. She was born in Newberry, MI on June 14, 1937, the daughter of Clayton and Trula (Webb) Ellcey.

Joyce graduated from Lawton High School and made her career as an officer manager for several businesses in Southwest Michigan including Shakespeare’s Rod and Reel and Glassmaster Controls.

On March 29, 1975, she married Bob Walkotten and they enjoyed over 41 year together until his passing in 2016. Joyce was also blessed with a son and two grandsons, and she took pride in being a caring mother and grandmother with a listening ear for all the ups and downs of life.

Joyce enjoyed bowling and participated in many leagues. She was an avid romance novel reader and took her time solving crossword puzzles. She loved to go to the casino as it gave her the opportunity to gamble and spend quality time with the friends and family that joined her.

Joyce and Bob lived on Long Lake, and they spent much of their time on the water in their pontoon boat. They took yearly trips to the Bahamas with friends and family to escape the cold Michigan winters. Many family reunions were held at Crystal Lake, and she looked forward to catching up with extended family.

The most important thing in Joyce’s life was her family. She appreciated honesty and would never judge her loved ones if they did wrong, she only tried to help them through any issues life gave them. She was selfless and a giver, she spoiled her grandchildren and great grandchildren with her time and love. She never complained and was grateful for all that she had in life. She had a special place in her heart for the family dogs Maggie and Rosie and especially her beloved cat Boots.

Left to cherish Joyce’s memory is her son Tim Hill, grandsons Nathan (Melissa) Hill and Clayton (Disa) Hill, great grandchildren Cole, Cayden, Carter, Jackson, and Bentley, brother Dan and Ron Ellcey, many nieces and nephews, and her dear companion Boots. She was preceded in death by her parents Clayton and Trula, her husband Bob, and her siblings Donna, Eva, Sharon, and Buck.

A visitation for Joyce will be held at Langeland Family Funeral Home 411 East Centre Ave. Portage, MI 49002 on Friday, February 28 from 12 to 1:30 PM. She will be laid to rest privately at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South beside Bob.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joyce’s honor may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators.

Please visit Joyce’s memorial webpage to share condolences and memories with her family at https://www.Langelands.com