Bill Thorne

Bill Lee Thorne, 83, of Terre Haute, passed away Thursday December 12 in his home. Bill was born June 11, 1930 in Sullivan County to Vera Jennings Thorne. Bill’s father William Thorne was killed in a construction accident in April before he was born. Bill worked at Newport Army Plant from 1962 until 1976 when he went to work for Eli Lilly Clinton Laboratories, retiring from there in 1993. Bill had a great love for antique cars or any car for that matter. He was a 25 plus year member of the Antique and Classic Car Club of the Wabash Valley. He was always interested in motorcycles, especially Harley Davidson. Thru the years, he owned many motorcycles and also served as the President of the Wabash Valley Motorcycle Club during the 1960’s. Bill was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels for the past fifteen years, and was also a member of the Forest Park Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Trustee for many years. Bill was also an honorably discharged member of the United States Army, serving in Korea from 1951 until 1953, where he served as a personal guard for General White for a short time.

Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carolyn Roberts Thorne, two daughters; Carla Buente, and Connie Hire and her husband Greg of Terre Haute, one half brother; Carl Shake of Brownstown, three grandchildren; Melissa Willmarth of Cincinnati, Elisa Hostetler of Lafayette, and Mary Buente of West Lafayette, two great grandsons; Brooks and Rory Willmarth of Cincinnati Ohio and another great grandson on the way.

Funeral service for Bill will be held Tuesday December 17, 2013 at 11:00 am at Greiner Funeral Home, 2005 North 13th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana with Pastor Gene Jeffers officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Monday December 16, 2013 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations of time or money be made to Meals on Wheels, 630 Ohio Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47807. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.greinerfuneralhome.com