William Ty Mayton

William Ty Mayton, 77, of Decatur, beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, January 12, 2019. Born May 1, 1941, in Rockwood, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Harry and Verna Mayton. He was known as “WT” by some of his family members and friends. Bill graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1963 before serving as a Navy pilot (1963-1969) including tours of duty in Vietnam and as an instructor pilot at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Florida. After leaving the Navy, he graduated from Columbia Law School with a Juris Doctor degree in 1972 (Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar) and began practicing law in Palo Alto, California and Washington, DC where he served as assistant counsel to the United States Senate Select Committee (the Watergate Committee). He went on to pursue a career teaching constitutional and administrative law at Emory Law School for 38 years where he was the Thomas J. Simmons Professor of Law Emeritus. He authored a preeminent textbook on Administrative Law, currently in its third edition, and published a book in January 2017 called The Sustainers, Citizens of the United States, in addition to numerous law articles and publications. Bill was an avid cyclist; enjoyed the outdoors and camping; writing and reading; debating and discussing politics with friends; and spending time with his children and grandchildren.


Bill is survived by his children, Luke Mayton, Wesley Mayton, Elizabeth Mayton and her spouse Jose Gross, Leigh Anne Kao and her spouse Tim Kao; granddaughters, Emily Kao and Charlotte Kao; sisters, June Gemmar and Marcia Eaton; brother, Ellis Mayton; and many more loving family and friends.


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.


Online condolences may be made at www.ASTurner.com.