William Thornton, born August 25, 1946, departed this life peacefully, after a long illness, on Sunday, July 3, 2016, at home in Philadelphia, Pa.

He was the second of 10 children, born to the union of the late Gladys and Earl Thornton Sr. of Urbanna, Va. Three of his siblings, Leroy, Janie Cauthorne and Ella Harriett, preceded him in death.

He leaves to cherish his memory six sisters, Virginia D. Harris and Earlene Cochran (Leroy) of Philadelphia, Pa., Clementine Henry of Newport News, Va., Hilda Green (Kenneth) of Plainfield, N.J., Connie Bagby (Albert) of King and Queen, Va., and Inez Thornton of Richmond, Va.; two brothers, Earl Thornton Jr. and Frederick Thornton of Middlesex; an uncle, Brooksy Johnson (Agnes); three aunts, Hattie B. Carroll, Essie Johnson and Jo Ann Johnson, all of Philadelphia, Pa., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 23, 2016, at Lebanon Baptist Church, Saluda, Va.

J.K. Redmond Funeral Home, Shacklefords, Va., is in charge.