William L. Thornton

WELLSVILLE – William L. "Tainy" Thornton, 94, of Wellsville, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at his home with his family by his side.

William was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on December 13, 1930. He was a veteran proudly serving in the Army. William worked at Crucible Steel as a loader until the plant closed in 1982 and then later retired from J & L Steel in June of 2004. William was an avid fan of the Cleveland Browns, L.A. Lakers and the L.A. Dodgers. He was a car enthusiast. William was a member of Wellsville VFW Drill Team. He was very fashionable and known for his stylish appearance. William was great friend to those who knew him but most importantly, he was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother.

Preceding William in death were his son Tyrone Fleshman; father Charles Black; mother Louise (Thornton) Keeton and her husband Paul; great granddaughter Devonee and the mother of his children Dorothy Thornton.

Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters Jackie Thornton of Salem, OH and Jolene Thornton of Dayton, OH; twin sons Dana Thornton and Duane Thornton both of Wellsville, OH; granddaughter, whom he raised as a daughter, Tamika Thornton of East Liverpool; ten grandchildren Davina, Graylen, Angelo, Aymed, Gia, Skyla, Breanna, Doug, Jeff and Elizabeth; ten great grandchildren Javon, Lyric, Nasir, Anayia, Iyonna, Brea, Blake, Brick, Blair and Alaya; two sisters Jean Rose Davis of Akron, OH and Gloria Pitts of Buffalo, NY; daughter-in-law Hazel Fleshman of Prairie Grove, AR; cat Biter and his two dogs at home Noah and Ava.

Friends may visit Friday at the Dawson Funeral Home where the family will be present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial at Spring Hill Cemetery where Tri State Veterans Burial Group will conduct military honors.

Following the service the family will gather at the Dawson Family Center for a time of fellowship.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and ownership of Visiting Angels in Salem, OH and Valley Hospice in Steubenville/Wheeling.