William E. "Bill" Thornton Jr. age 89 of Lore City passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Countryview Assisted Living. He was born in Belmont County on February 3, 1936, a son of the late William E. Thornton Sr. and Esther (Reese) Thornton.
Mr. Thornton was a graduate of Bellaire High School class of 1954. He then attended Elliott Business School in Wheeling, W.V. He served his country in the U.S. Army in Fort Lewis Washington from 1961 to 1963.
Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Bill started his career with Columbia Gas in 1961, working his way up into management of the Cambridge area. He had transferred and worked then retrired from the Elyria offices after his years at Cambridge. He was a 54 year member of the Cadiz Masonic Lodge #219 and had been Past Master. Bill was very active in many local organizations including: being president of the Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce. He had been president of the Cambridge Rotary Club and on the board of the CIC and CAC. He was also a president of the Cambridge Band Boosters and a chairman of the Guernsey County United Way.
Bill is survived by: his wife of almost 64 years, Nancy E. (Daubenmeyer) Thornton; a son Todd (& Alicia) Thornton of Quaker City, Ohio; a brother George Thornton of Neffs, Ohio; two sisters, Judith Leiffer of Bellaire, Ohio and Linda Kay Thornton of Neffs, Ohio; a granddaughter Courtney (& Justin) Thornton Gray of Washington; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by: his parents; and three sisters, Robin Thornton, Jean Howell and Nancy Fry.
A celebration of life will be held at Lore City United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 2 pm officiated by Pastor Carol Touvell. The church is located at 188 Main Street, Lore City, Ohio 43768.
Visitation was held at Bundy-Law Funeral Home on Sunday, March 23, 2025 where Masonic Services and Military Honors were performed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Guernsey at P.O. Box 1165 Cambridge, Ohio 43725 or the Lore City First United Methodist Church 188 Main Street Lore City, Ohio 43755. Bill's online guest book may be viewed and signed at www.bundy-lawfuneralhome.com .