DEATHS

and obituaries

Bill Thornton

Services for William Stanley “Bill” Thornton, 78, Hillsboro, who died June 17 at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, will be 2 to 4 p.m. today at Scout House in Hillsboro Memorial Park.

Born Oct. 29, 1947, in Lawrence to James Abner and Norma Elaine (Peck) Thornton, he grew up in Independence and graduated from high school there in 1965.

He served as a corporal in the Marine Corps from 1968 to 1970, partly in Vietnam, and continued in the reserves and National Guard.

Bill married Sharman Michelle Morford on May 26, 1973, in Greensburg, graduated from Kansas State University in 1974, received a master’s degree from Emporia State University in 1985, and worked as a state geologist in Chanute until he retired in 2007.

He was active in Elks, learned to fly, prospected for gold as a hobby in Congress, Arizona, after retirement, and moved to just outside Hillsboro five years ago.

His parents and siblings James K. Thornton and Susan (Thornton) Main preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Sharman; children Pamela Deters and Charles Thornton; and six grandchildren.

A memorial has been established with Emporia State University.