Earl W Thornhill

Earl William Thornhill

The heavens are filled with laughter and song as our Lord welcomed home His servant Earl William Thornhill, who passed on September 28 at the age of 94 at his home in Troy, surrounded by his wife and children.

Devoted husband to Mildred (Cox) Thornhill. Beloved father to Charles, Sharon, David, Karen, and Earlene. And loving grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather to 53 grandchildren, Earl left a legacy of faith and family and the echo of the auctioneer's chant for generations to come.

Born on Sept. 22, 1931, to Charlie Peter Thornhill and Rosa Mae (Schieffer) Thornhill, Earl William humbly entered the world so poor that his dad agreed to spade the doctor's garden for two to three years to pay for the delivery.

To help provide for his family, Earl left high school to work on the family farm. Despite what they lacked in resources, Earl considered himself rich in blessings with the love of his family, including five brothers and his sister; love of the land, where he would hunt, fish and ride his horse; and love of farming, especially tending cattle.

At the age of 16, Earl met the love of his life, his "pretty Millie" and, together, they raised five children and celebrated 75 years of marriage this past June.

Earl's early work years were spent as a lineman. In his spare time, Earl earned his real estate license and auctioneered on Saturdays, realizing his true calling and creating a business, Thornhill Real Estate & Auction Company, that has served clients for 62 years and still operates as a family business with three generations behind the gavel.

Earl's vocal abilities not only made a living for his family as an auctioneer, but his love of singing and storytelling entertained family and friends-carrying his legacy of faithfulness and devotion mixed with a bit of fun-loving mischief; striking a chord in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Earl is survived by his wife, Mildred Thornhill of Troy, MO, and their children: Charles Thornhill (grandchildren Toney Thornhill, Marcia Thornhill, Ashley Thornhill and Jacob Thornhill); Sharon (Thornhill) and Danny Burgess (grandchildren Susan (Burgess) Wojtkiewicz, Alan Burgess, and Jamie (Burgess) DuChaine); David and Brenda Thornhill (grandchildren Cheri (Thornhill) Winchester, Teri (Thornhill) Westbrook, and Dusty Thornhill); Karen (Thornhill) and Mark Curt (grandchildren Christi Curt-Skow, Angie (Curt) Griffith, Tracy (Curt) Wille, and Jenny (Curt) Krestel); and Earlene (Thornhill) and Paul Anderson (grandchildren Erik Anderson and Jessica (Anderson) Huble). His legacy includes 34 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. His siblings George Shelby, Jim, and Bill Thornhill. Earl was preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Rosa (Schieffer) Thornhill and his siblings: Ira Thornhill and Eva (Thornhill) Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to: Thornhill Cemetery in Troy; Troy First Baptist Church; or the Lincoln County Council on Aging c/o McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory 1304 Boone Street Troy, MO 6337 (1636) 528-8244

Visitation to be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., and also on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m., at the Thornhill Auction Barn, 421 John Deere Dr., Troy, MO, 63379.

Funeral service: Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, 10 a.m. also at the Thornhill Auction Barn. Pastor Obie Dalrymple to officiate.

Interment to follow in the Thornhill Cemetery Troy, MO

Family and friends are invited to sign our online guest register at mccoyblossomfh.com

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