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William Thornburg Obituary
WILLIAM JAMES THORNBURG
Apr. 7, 1925 - June 11, 2011
Born April 7, 1925 in Calipatria, CA. William attended Harding, Lincoln, and Wilson grammar schools. He graduated from Central Union High School in 1942, Imperial Valley College where he was awarded the American Legion Award in 1946, and the University of Redlands in 1949 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business and was president of his fraternity. He received his Master of Arts degree in Business Education from San Diego State University in 1973. Upon graduating from college he joined the family farming enterprise, Thor Packing Co., Inc. At various times he served as President and director of the Holtville Chamber of Commerce, President and member of the Holtville Rotary Club, President and Director of Western Growers Association, President and member of the Imperial Valley College Board of Trustees, and founding member of the Imperial Valley College Foundation. He served on the Holtville City Council from 1954 to 1960 and was Mayor of Holtville from 1956 to 1960. He was named Holtville's first Citizen of the Year in 1954 and was inducted into the Imperial Valley College Alumni Hall of Fame in 1989. In 1967, Bill resigned as Trustee of IVC and applied for and received a position as Instructor of Business. He pursued his teaching career until 1980 when he applied for and received the position of Vice President for Business Services. During his tenure as teacher he served nine years on the Academic Senate where he served as chairperson one year. After retiring as Vice President for Business Services in 1990, he has been active in the Imperial County Historical Society and museum, serving as President in 1999 and pursuing his lifelong love of music by working for three years helping to restore the original pipe organ from the State street Christian Church of El Centro. He served as organist for the United Methodist Church of Holtville for 52 years. He is the only person who graduated from IVC, served as a trustee of IVC (founding) taught at IVC and became a vice president of IVC.
William is survived by his wife Evelyn Marie of 63 years; sons, William Rogers and Janet Thornburg, Joel James and Denise Thornburg, Gregory Lewis and Nancy Thornburg, Todd Samuel and Patricia Thornburg; daughter, Rebecca Marie and Ray Blevins; 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Donations can be made to The IVC Foundation, Pioneers Museum and Holtville United Methodist Church.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 17th at 11 a.m. at Holtville United Methodist Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Thornburg
Sponsored by Joel Thornburg.
Christina Williams
June 19, 2011
Joel & Denise Thornburg,
Sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. May you be comforted with fond memories of your Dad and all the wonderful years you had together.
Blessings and Prayers.
Christina (Chris) Williams
Xen & Shirley Jones
June 19, 2011
Dear Evelyn & Family,
How very saddened we were to read on-line, that Bill had passed away. I (Shirley) will always cherish the wonderful visits I had with Bill while he was in the hospital & convalescing at home. His contributions to his family, his church, his community, the Pioneers Museum and IVC will have a lasting impact on thousands--we were blessed to have known Bill. May God bless & comfort you at this time of bereavement.
sherry poore
June 19, 2011
Condolences go out to the Thornburg family. Bill was a great teacher at IVC, I enjoyed his classes and learned so much from him. Prayers to the family and may your memories of him bring you peace and comfort.
Norma Sierra Galindo
June 18, 2011
Bill was an example of what a true civic servant should be--honest, ethical, professional, and informed--to name a few. I am blessed to have learned so much from him.
It was a good journey, Bill. Godspeed and good bye.
Respectfully,
Norma Sierra Galindo
June 17, 2011
Todd & family, We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you. Norm & Donna Davis
Yadira Rosales
June 17, 2011
Todd & Patricia Thornburg:
May God give you the strength to deal with the loss!
Debi Ryerson Gray
June 17, 2011
Thornburg Families ~ So sorry for your loss ~ You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God's peace and strength
Debi
June 16, 2011
Joel & Denise
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal!
My heart hurts for you and your family.
Love and prayers---Joan Carey
Cathi Larios
June 16, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your families.
Pepe & Cathi Larios
June 15, 2011
An exceptional college instructor. One of the best we have ever had. You will be missed, Mr. Thornburg...May you rest in peace. Imperial Valley students.
Vicky Scoggins
June 15, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Patricia Maruca
June 15, 2011
Dear Thornburg Family,
On behalf of The Maruca Family we send our most sincere and heartfelt condolences. Bill was always a bright spot in my day, and a mentor during my tenure in the Holtville Unified School District. His words of wisdom and advice got me through many tough times and his piano playing always brought joy to our Rotary meetings. He will be greatly missed. Holtville has lost a beacon in the community and a true friend. We mourn with you.
Sincerely, Pat, Joe and JoeJoe Maruca
Joanne Singh
June 15, 2011
I was one of the Methodists Bill played the organ for, for most of those 52 years. He also helped build the current sanctuary. My grandson Travis, now 20, asked when he was two, "Is that God?" when he saw Bill at the organ. He played for my whole family all those years. Along with Evelyn, we studied the Bible in many different groups. As someone else has already said, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
Todd Evangelist
June 15, 2011
Wonderful man who will be missed. We're proud that he's in the Imperial Valley College Hall of Fame!
Brian & Coni Stokely
June 15, 2011
To Mrs. Evelyn Thornburg, Todd and Patty Thornburg and all of the Thornburg family - We were sadden to hear of your loss. We will remember Mr. Thornburg from his days at IVC to the days we spent listening to music and sharing great conversation. He was a wonderful, caring man. Our thoughts and prayer go out to you all
Pat Munger
June 15, 2011
My heartfelt condolences to all.. Mr. Thornburg was an exceptional person.
Pat Munger
Sylvia Nelson
June 15, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Your wonderful memories will keep him forever in your hearts.
Harry, Sylvia and John Nelson
Rev. Gene Hill
June 14, 2011
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"
Erika and Stephen Flores
June 14, 2011
My sincerest condolences go out to the Thornburg family especially to Mrs. Evelyn Thornburg and my sister and brother-in-law Todd and Patricia Thornburg.
Mr. Thornburg will be dearly missed. I will especially miss the way he would shake my hand using both of his hands to hold mine with a friendly smile on his face. He always made us feel welcomed and made us feel like a part of his family. Mr. Thornburg will not only be remembered for his long list of professional accomplishments, but he will be remembered for being a wonderful family man who was humble, kind, generous and warm hearted.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and may the many memories you have bring you comfort and peace.
Lenard Wong
June 14, 2011
My condolences to the Thornburg family for your loss.
H & D Garewal
June 14, 2011
Thornburg family, so sorry to hear of your loss. What a wonderful man, count your blessing to have had him as a father. He always gave 100% of himself in all that he did. May you find peace in knowing he lives on forever.
Georgia & Larry Libsack
June 14, 2011
Greg and Nancy,
Our thoughts are with you both and your families. If there is anything we can do, let us know. Love you
Ed and Paula Marquez
June 14, 2011
Bill was the best teacher IVC ever had. He made sure his students understood what they were doing before advancing to the next chapter. He was always interested in everything that was going on in Holtville and the rest of the valley. A truly great man, He will be remembered.
Jon Lorensen
June 14, 2011
Bills family. Words alone cannot express my sympathy on the untimely death of your beloved husband, father and friend. To say that his time with us was far to short is an understatement. The reality is that he will be sorely missed by all who loved and knew him.
No doubt the outpouring of sympathey you have recieved since his parting has been of some consolation. Hopefully it will serve as a reminder to you of how well loved and liked Bill was. I know I will miss him. He was a man of great heart.
I hope that you and your family will find peace and comfort in knowing that his suffering is over and that his just rewards await him.
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