William Bill Edward Thornton

William ‘Bill’ Edward Thornton of East Meadow, NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at his home in Arizona after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma. He was 75.

Born on April 19, 1936 in East Meadow, NY, he was the son of the late Eugene Thornton and Muriel Thornton McStravick of Rockville Centre, NY. Bill married Elaine M. (Cashman) Thornton in 1956 in Baldwin, NY. They then lived in Wantagh, NY on Long Island, moved to Columbus, GA in 1982 and then moved to Marrietta, GA in 2004. He worked as a Surveyor and Project Manager in construction in NY. In Georgia his occupation was an Assistant Manager in a hardware store. He was retired for six years prior to his passing.

Bill was the father of seven children, Veronica (Bonnie) Bowers, Susan M. Boyle, William (Bill) Thornton, Linda M. Downey, Elizabeth (Liz) Doering, John J. Thornton and Kim Marie Gray and seventeen grandchildren ~ Jennifer Pagas, and her husband, James; Jason and Laura Bowers; Fionna Boyle and her fiancée, Christopher Brune; John and Shavonne Boyle; Scott, Travis and Carter Thornton; Crystal Downey, Samantha Harden and her husband, Cole; Eddie and Kyle Doering; Trey and Austin Thornton; Elaina and Thomas Gray; and, three great grandchildren, Sabrina Anthony, Jasmine Pagas and Ellie Downey. Five sons-in-law, Gary Bowers, John Boyle, Dennis Downey, Edward Doering and Thomas Gray. Daughters-in-law, Denise Thornton and Lisa Bunting. Sisters-in-law, Diane Campbell and Barbara Conrad, and their children Mark, Sean and Douglas Campbell; and, Christina Seawright and Ricky Conrad. Additional nieces and nephew Beverly Lukehart; Patty and Gary Suprenant; Gail Thornton, and her children Kyle and Tyler. He also leaves behind his many loving extended family members and devoted and caring friends.

Bill was a hard worker and always willing to lend a helping hand. He was an extravert with a dynamic personality and enjoyed playing cards. He delighted in sharing good food and past memories with friends and family and especially savored lobster.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass service on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 10 AM at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church, 3100 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown, NY, 11756, (516) 731-4220, www.stbernardslevittown.org ; burial to follow at St. Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735, Plot Location – Section 12, Range J, (631) 249-8700. More information can be obtained at www.dignitymemorial.com or calling Mr. Thornton’s son, Bill, via telephone 631-619-6171. Memorial contributions in William Thornton’s name may be made to Banner Hospice, 275 East Germann Road, Suite 110, Gilbert, AZ 85297. Condolences to the family may be posted to the website listed above.