January 28, 2023, 82, Grantham –

Billy Green Thornton, 82,  of the Grantham community passed away Saturday at Wayne U.N.C. Hospital. He was the son of the late Thaddeus Lee and Eva Hudson Thornton, and the husband of Letty Bradford Thornton. Mr. Thornton served in the United States Army and was a retired mechanic. Mr. Thornton was a member of Black Jack Grove Free Will Baptist Church for over 50 years. He served the church as a deacon, bus driver, youth group leader, and his favorite job, preparing food for fundraisers and homecoming. His favorite dish was chicken pastry. He always had a love for tinkering with cars, old tractors, and lawnmowers. He also loved anything to do with racing. His love for cars led him to be an honorary member of the Grantham Car Club, The Easy Street Cruisers.  He also enjoyed being outside in his garden. Billy served his community as a cub scout leader and for many years as a member of the Grantham Rescue Squad. Of the many things he liked to do, his favorite was time spent with his buddies at Danny’s Store.

A Service of love and remembrance will be held Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 12:00 noon at Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Franklin Lane, Pastor Joshua Ham, Pastor Pete Radford, and Mr. Jonathan Edwards officiating. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00 A.M. until 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at Wayne Memorial Park.  

In addition to his wife of 62 years, Mr. Thornton is survived by his children, Angie Herring (Jerry), Debbie Ham (Darryl), and Mike Thornton (CeCe); grandchildren, Jonathan Edwards (Beth), Joshua Ham (Kayla), Rachel Ham, Sarah Ham, Hailey Jones (Adam), Madison Jones (Malik), Rylee Thornton (Landon), Hannah Edwards; great-grandchildren, Gracie Edwards, Haley Ham, Joseph Ham, Amelia Ham, and arriving in the spring, Melody Ham; sisters, Lynda Hinson, Shirley Stallings (William), Sheila Jenkins (Nelson); brother, Danny Thornton; many nieces and nephews; and his Black Jack Grove church family.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Thornton is preceded in death by his sister, Elsie Lee, and husband, Ben Frank Lee, brother, Bobby Thornton, and wife, Charlotte; sister-in-law, Lisa Thornton; and a brother-in-law, Larry Hinson.

The family wishes to thank, Pastor Franklin Lane, Danny Faircloth, Michael Hare, Lynda Hinson, Sheila Jenkins, Kent Grantham, Anthony Bishop, and the Staff of Wayne U.N.C. Hospital for their love and care for Mr. Billy during his time of sickness.

Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to
Wounded Warrior Project
P.O. Box 758516
Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516

Billy leaves behind a legacy of love for his family, church family, friends, and community.

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Thornton family, and online condolences can be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com