William Louis Thornton

OBITUARY:

Bill was preceded in death by his older brother, Harold Thornton, Jr., younger sister Gwendolyn (Thornton) Grooms, and younger brother Eric Thornton.

Leaving to cherish his memories are: his devoted wife of 60 years, Clara (Ford-Bey) Thornton; daughters Aamina Thornton, Amara Thornton Brown, Shira Thornton, Yasmin Broady (James), Aisha Garrett (Stephan), Kimbra Eagle (Randy) and Edie Szcypiorski (Ted); his brothers and sisters Marietta Harris (Sam) of Pottstown, PA, André Thornton (Gail) of Chagrin Falls, OH, Rev. Gregory Thornton (Sandra), and Theresa Thornton of Phoenixville, PA. Cherishing his memory as well are 19 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, his Aunt Priscilla Barrington of Richland, GA, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Surrounded by his family, the Lord called him home to rest in His outstretched arms on Tuesday, the Sixteenth of September 2025.

Lovingly submitted by The Family

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

William L. Thornton, a devoted husband, attentive father, loving son, and delightful brother, was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, on December 16, 1942, as the second of 8 children to the late Harold and Arcola (Williams) Thornton. He lived in Tuskegee for twelve years before the family moved to Phoenixville in 1955. Bill attended Memorial Jr. High School (now known as Barkley Elem. School). He was a very talented athlete even in his youth. He played Biddy Basketball for the YMCA, and under the coaching leadership of Don Coppedge, the team went on to become district champions.

Bill graduated from Phoenixville Area High School (PAHS) in 1960. During high school, Bill participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Because of his speed, he was the first in the family to be dubbed "Thunder Thornton". Bill was an integral part of the 1959 ChesMont Champion football team that became ChesMont champions, and Bill was selected to be on the All ChesMont Team. And during his basketball season, he was also selected to be on the All ChesMont Team.

Bill ran track during the spring season. He went on to set a new record for the 100-yard dash at Phoenixville High School, a record held by Steve Marjar for over 40 years. Mr. Marjar was so proud of Bill's accomplishment that he walked from downtown Phoenixville to the north side of town to track down Bill and personally congratulate him. Later that season, he tied the District track record in the 100-yard dash, finishing in 9.9 seconds. Bill recalled getting teased by his competition before the race. Bill took off his sweats, revealing the long, ashy legs of a true country boy, which sparked his competitors to laugh and ask, "Who is this ashy-legged boy?" After he won the race, his competition was left appalled. With the Pioneer Athletic Club in Harrisburg, Bill ran a 9.8, placing third to Olympic hopefuls Frank Bud (9.6) and Paul Drayton (9.7). With a phenomenal season under his belt, Bill went on to compete in the State Championships and placed third.

Bill acquired baseball titles as well. Bill won the Babe Ruth Batting Title at age 15 with a batting average of .491, and the American Legion Batting Title at age 17 with an average of .651. Continuing to test his abilities, he even tried out for the Philadelphia Phillies.

After graduation, Bill went to Mesa Junior College and continued to soar in athletics. In 1962, he set a new Mesa record, completing the 100-yard dash in 9.5 seconds. He was also awarded the Outstanding Athlete of the Year award while in attendance. In 1963, he transferred to Utah State Univ. where he played football and track while majoring in History and Geology with a minor in Psychology. To earn a few extra dollars, he took on a job of grading papers for professors at Utah State. Keeping up with his tradition of athletic excellence, he set a new track record at Utah State, barely missing a world record achievement. He completed the 60-yard dash in 6.05 seconds, just missing the world record by less than two tenths of a second. Bill was "the best athlete in the family," proudly proclaimed by his brother André.

In January 1965, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Clara, and left Utah State to return to Phoenixville to join the Phoenixville Police Department. Still having a love of sports, he played semi-pro football for the Spring Ford Maraders and the Phoenix Steelers while starting his new career and new family. Bill continued to shoot towards higher marks, which led him to try out for the Cincinnati Bengals, where his talent took him to the final cuts.

Bill took a brief hiatus from the force from 1968 to 1969 to work for the State Liquor Control Board before returning to the Police Department. He launched the idea of developing a park for the senior citizens of the newly built King Terrace and started the Phoenixville area Townwatch. He received the Outstanding Man of the Year award from the Phoenixville Area Jaycees for his instrumental help in establishing Main Street Park (now known as André Thornton Park). Bill also served on the Board of the Senior Adult Activities Center. He joined community softball leagues; he played community basketball; he was active in the Phoenixville Community Council North (PCCN), which developed many activities for the youth and residents of the north side of Phoenixville; he participated in the Phoenixville Social Citizens Club and became a member of the Board of the Phoenixville Area Recreation Department; and he also coached football for the Phoenixville Marian Youth Center (PMYC).

Because of Bill's love of the game, in 1984, he began as a volunteer high school football coach at PAHS. His knowledge and passion earned him an assistant coaching position, and for the next 17 years, every new head coach kept him close by their side. Bill would be later inducted into the Phoenixville Area High School Wall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to the Phoenixville community at large.

After retiring from his paid coaching position in 1999, Bill went back to volunteering until 2024. He continued to receive awards for his service, such as the prestigious Legion of Honor Award from the Four Chaplains in 1999 and Outstanding Man of the Year 2001 from King Solomon Lodge #130 of Philadelphia. Bill was also inducted into the Phoenixville Area High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 and a Black Light Projects Legacy Honoree in 2018.

Bill became more involved in his church community at Bethel Baptist. He taught Sunday School, was a Trustee, and helped develop the Youth Fellowship Club (previously called Word of Life), which planted the seed for the current Youth Ministry under the direction of Rev. Yvonne Scott. Bill became an ordained deacon in 2011 and served his church faithfully.

Bill was also a frater in the Grand Consistory of Louisiana Masons 33 degree, a 3rd degree Master Mason in the Blue House in the King Solomon Lodge 130 under the jurisdiction of Louisiana, and a Sovereign Grand Inspector General (S.G.I.G.) member of the Supreme Council of Louisiana A.A.R.S.M.

Bill was awarded the Peacemaker Award by Bethel Baptist Church and Community. When asked if he thought "Peacemaker" was an appropriate title, he calmly stated "yes" and recited the words of his Savior Jesus Christ found in the book of John, 14th chapter, 27th verse – "peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Peacemaker – you are indeed.

After hanging up his cleats, turning in his badge, and putting away his whistle, Bill continued to stay involved with his church, teaching bible study and singing in the Men's Choir. Ultimately, Bill spent the remainder of his life being a loving husband to Clara, father to his daughters, and grandfather to his grandchildren.

We love you, Daddio

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