Don Slaten Obituary

Billy "Don" Slaten, 78, of Somerville, Alabama passed peacefully at his residence on Friday, January 23, 2026. He was born May 29, 1947 in the car on the way to the hospital in Decatur, Alabama. His parents were Charles B. Slaten and Kathryn Turner Slaten.

After graduating from Priceville High School in 1965, Don began working at Chemstrand, but left to join the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and went to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for Basic Training. January of 1967 found him in Biloxi, Mississippi at Keesler Air Force Base studying electronics and radar with the Air Force.

Don came back to Somerville in June 1967 and married his longtime sweetheart, Patricia Stewart. They settled in Biloxi until December 1967 when they were transferred to Chandler Air Force Site in Murray, Minnesota. Don and his family finally returned and settled in Alabama in 1970, and Don went back to Monsanto (Chemstrand) to continue his career there as an Instrument Mechanic.

Don & Patricia have two children, a daughter, Sheri Tilley (Patrick) of Hartselle, and a son, Michael Slaten (Kristen) of Somerville. Don enjoyed coaching his kids' sports teams and proudly attended all of their events. He also has four grandchildren, Tyler Berry (Ana) of Hartselle, Heather Tilley Lewis (Caleb) of Perkinston, Mississippi, Logan Tilley (Rachael) of Huntsville, Alabama, and Army Sergeant, Carson Levario-Slaten, currently stationed in Poland. Don could often be found at basketball games, golf tournaments, cross country events, softball games, and school recognitions supporting those grandchildren in everything they did. Don was thrilled when he became a GREAT-Granddad to three littles, Shiloh and Abram Lewis and Collins Tilley and his face lit up when he saw them.

Don retired from Solutia (formerly Monsanto) in 2002 and continued to spend time golfing, hunting and cheering on the grands. He began another mini career transferring cars for Enterprise Rentals and made many friends during his ten years there. He was fond of saying, "All Slaten's are talkers, but not all talkers are Slaten's." He wasn't wrong, and he never met a stranger! He was an active member of New Friendship Baptist Church where he served in various capacities for many years.

Don's memorial service will be held at New Friendship Baptist Church, Somerville, Alabama on Sunday, January 25, 2026 with Rev. Tommy Smothers, Rev. Ron Manly, and Rev. Jimmy Chenault officiating. The family will receive visitors from 1-3pm with a service at 3pm.

Pallbearers will be Michael Slaten, Tyler Berry, Logan Tilley, Carson Levario-Slaten, Caleb Lewis, and Luke Southerland.

In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to Save a Life Pregnancy Center (801 Bradley St SW, Decatur, AL 35601), an organization that Don supported financially for several years.

Peck Funeral Home
1600 Hwy 31 SW
P.O. Box 427
Hartselle, AL 35640
256.773.2541
256.773.2543 (Fax)