William H. “Bill” Thornton, 93, Atchison, Kansas, died Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at the Atchison Hospital.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 at 1:30 PM at the Shiloh Baptist Church with Pastor Timothy Wolfe officiating.  Burial will follow in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 1:30 PM at the church.  Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Bill was born on July 26, 1922, in Atchison, Kansas the son of Hillard and Elsie Thomas Thornton. He attended schools in both Atchison and Leavenworth, Kansas, graduating from Leavenworth High School.  

He and the former Jessiefaye Brown were united in marriage on October 25, 1947 in Elwood, Kansas. 

Bill served in the United States Army 5th Division from March 1, 1943 until his honorable discharge on January 25, 1946. He was stationed in the European Theater and the South Pacific.  

He worked at Cooper’s Foundry and then the Pillsbury Mills Company for 38 years, both in Atchison. He served as a deacon and trustee at Zion Baptist Church which later became Shiloh Baptist Church. He played a major role in building the new church in the mid 1980’s. He also served on the Mo-Kan Regional Council, Project Concern and the Advisory Council overseeing construction of the new Atchison County Jail. 

Bill won numerous trophies in horseshoe pitching, fast and slow pitch softball and bowling.  He was still playing slow pitch softball at the age of fifty.  He was very active in the Baptist Northeast District representing his church.  

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jessiefaye Thornton, of the couple’s home in Atchison, KS, a son, Wm. Robert (Rozetta) Thornton, Atchison, KS, three daughters, Deborah (Greg) Henderson-Green, Topeka, KS, Christel (Stanley) Oliver, Lithonia, GA, Haregwoin “Jo” (Junious) Goodwin, Olathe, KS, seven grandchildren, Hollie Faye Henderson, Greg Oliver, Jr., Nickalos Oliver, Jonathan Oliver, Stan Oliver, Jr., Brandy Goodwin, Josh Goodwin, two great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.