E. W. "Bill" Thornton

E. W. "Bill" Thornton, age 90 years, a resident of Winter Haven, Fla. and a former resident of Goreville, passed  away Thursday, Dec 20, 2001 at 12:15 pm at the Good Shepherd Hospice Hospital in Auburndale, Fla.

He was a school teacher/principal and then went to work for the State of Illinois for 30 years as a Supply Officer (in a hospital). Also served as a Business Administrator for a Physically Handicapped School. After moving to Florida , he worked at Crowder Brothers Hardware for 15 years.

He was a member of Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church, Winter Haven, where he was a past president of the Wesley Fellowship Sunday School class, and also served on many boards and committees for the church.

He had been a member of the Masonic Lodge for 58 years, having been a member in four different lodges - one in Goreville, two in Elgin, and a member of Winter Haven Lodge No. 186, F&AM since 1976.

He was raised a Scottish Rite Mason in 1944, and received his 50 years membership award in 1994 and was an active member of Tampa Consistory, Scottish Rite and of the Lake Region Scottish Rite Club, Winter Haven and was a member of Winter Haven Chapter No. 74, Order of Eastern Star and a member of Winter Haven Chapter No. 41, RAM and also Winter Haven Commandry No. 37, York Rite Masonry.

Survivors include his brother; John F. Thornton of Goreville; sisters, Ruth Calhoon of Goreville, Edna Billingsley of Goreville, Hazel Billingsley of Elgin, Winnie McMillen of Marion; a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eubah George Thornton.

Memorial services were held on Sunday, Dec. 30th at Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church in Winter Haven, Fla.

Local services are as follows-

A graveside service will be held Friday morning, Jan. 4, 2002 at 11am at the Cypress Masonic Cemetery, Cypress, Ill.

Rev. Jeffery Bealmear will officiate.

Those attending the service are asked to gather at the cemetery at 10:45am Friday.

Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna, Ill. is in charge of local arrangements