WINTER HAVEN - Mr William "Bill" Milo Thornton passed away peacefully at his home with his loving wife by his side on January 15th after a lengthy illness.

Bill was born on April 22, 1925 in Peoria, Ill.  to William Randolph and Myrtle C. Thornton.   Following service in the Army Air Corp during World War II, Bill attended the University of Tampa.  It was at this time that he met Dorothy Hancock.  They were married January 9, 1949 and later moved to Washington DC where Bill completed his education, receiving a degree in Engineering from George Washington University.  Bill and Dorothy returned to Florida in 1957.  Bill founded Thornton and Company in 1962, where he continued working until his retirement in 1991.  He was one of the first members of Covenant Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty Jeanne Smith.  He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Hancock Thornton, his 3 sons; Steve (Ellen ) Thornton and Scott (Jennifer ) Thornton,  both of Winter Haven, and Craig Thornton of Blue Ridge, Ga.  He is further survived by his two daughters: Kathy (Ches) Cawthon of Perry, Ga. and Susan Thornton of Winter Haven.  He also leaves eight grand children: Meg Thornton, Clark Thornton, David Thornton, Turner Thornton, Anthony Thornton, Katie Cawthon, Bo Thornton, and Christopher Cawthon.  He is also survived by his brother Roger (Ruby ) Thornton,  sister Jackie Crawley,  sister-in-law Hilda H. Brooks,  and numerous nieces and nephews .  Finally, he leaves his devoted caregivers during his  last  years:  Ethel R. Jones, Vivian Omahan, and others. 

A funeral service will be held January 19th at Redeemer Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Meals on Wheels or the Lakeland Christian School Scholarship Fund.  Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.