William "Billy" Thornton

William "Billy" Thornton, a life-long resident of Washington, Georgia passed away Monday, December 18, 2023, at the age of 83 at Wills Memorial Hospital in Washington, Ga.

Billy is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia Thornton; his children, Lori (Marc) O'Connor of Thomson, Ga., Renee (Brian) Denard of Lincolnton, Ga., and Bill (Linda) Thornton of Washington, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild; and his sisters Georgia Norton and Dianne Jackson both of Augusta, Ga.

He was born in Washington, Ga. to George Washington and Eunice Marvelle Thornton. He graduated from Washington Wilkes High School with the Class of 1958 before moving to Auburn, Alabama to attend college where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He was a die-hard Georgia Bulldog fan until they played his alma mater, the War Eagles. After college, he returned to his hometown to marry his high school sweetheart.

Billy was a devoted husband, father and grandfather as well as an avid hunter. He was a radio DJ for WLOV for 20 years. During that time, he became the voice of his hometown football team, the Washington-Wilkes Tigers. He also organized and managed a women's baseball team called the WLOV "Love Bugs", was nominated as Wilkes Counties representative for a drug enforcement program and was invited to a banquet at the Georgia's capital hosted by Jimmy Carter and his daughter Amy.  After leaving the radio station he became an insurance representative for American General Insurance for 24 years where he was affectionately known as the "Candy Man" by the children on his insurance route.

He was always volunteering his time to different clubs and hobbies such as the Lion's Club and Jaycee's and received the Stoll Award for 55 years of Cooperative Weather Observing for Wilkes County and was President of the BT Hunting Club for over 40 years. He performed his civic duties by serving on the Wilkes County Board of Education for 16 years, served as Little League President for 10 years and was a proud member of the Washington Fire Department where he earned the ranking of Lieutenant before retiring after 35 years of dedicated service.  After retirement, Billy dedicated his life to his children and grandchildren. He was known to his grandchildren as their "Biggest Fan". He never missed a game and was often the first fan there and the last to leave. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Billy Thornton to the Washington Fire Department at 212 Court Street, Washington, Georgia 30673.

A graveside service is planned for Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Rehoboth Baptist Church Cemetery with a visitation on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Beggs Funeral Home, Lincolnton.