Billy Thornton

Billy Sloan Thornton was born on July 2, 1929, a son of the late Claude and Ester Thornton. Bill married Christine Allison on January 27, 1956. Together they raised four children and ran a dairy farm in Hickory Plains, Ar. They were married for fifty-nine years and were devoted members of Hebron United Methodist Church. Bill served faithfully in many areas over the years including Superintendent, Lay Leader, and Sunday School teacher. In addition to his military service as Radio Operator during the Korean War, Bill served with Associated Milk Producers, Inc. for many years. Among many honors and accomplishments, he was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman under President Bill Clinton to the U S Department of Agriculture National Dairy Promotion and Research Board in 1996.
Bill was known throughout the community as a hard-working, kind, and honest man. He is loved and treasured by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers James and Charles Thornton; and a sister Melba Brantley. Bill is survived by his wife Christine; sisters Martha Akin of California; Alice Adams of Cabot; daughter Terry Cody Mitchell (Earl); sons Doug (Denise), Rob, and Bob (Kim) Thornton; 9 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Family will receive friends from 5 - 7 p.m., Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Smith - Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe. Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Monday, May 4, 2015 at Hebron United Methodist Church in Carlisle, Arkansas. Burial will follow at Hebron Cemetery. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. www.SmithFamilyCares.com