Byron Walter Thornton Jr.

Byron Walter Thornton, Jr. January 20, 1933 – August 17, 2024 BYRON “WINDY” THORNTON, 91, of Kermit, West Virginia, passed away on August 17, 2024. Byron was a lifelong resident of Kermit. He was born in Kermit on January 20, 1933 to the late Byron W. Thornton, Sr. and Roxie Carlton Thornton. He is survived by two daughters, Elaine Endicott (Dr. J.W.) of Kermit and Leslye Thornton of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; two sons, B.W. Thornton, III (Dr. Alice) of Lexington, Kentucky and James Thornton (Karon) of Raleigh, North Carolina; and eight grandchildren, Dr. Elizabeth Endicott of Hurricane, West Virginia and Katherine Endicott of Kermit, Matthew Thornton (Kallie) of St. Paul, Minnesota, Dr. Zachary Thornton of Cincinnati, Ohio, Benjamin Thornton of Lexington, Kentucky, Dr. Madeline Thornton of Durham, North Carolina, Sam Thornton of Raleigh, North Carolina and Clay Thornton of Durham, North Carolina. Byron is predeceased by his wife, Ruth Marcum Thornton. He is also predeceased by his sister, Betty Jo Helmick of Teays Valley, West Virginia. Byron was a graduate of Kermit High School and Marshall College, where he received his degree in Retail Marketing. While in high school, he was a member of the 1950 Class B state runner-up basketball team. At Marshall, he was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity and active in the jazz ensemble. An accomplished drummer, Byron spent several years as a member of various “big band” jazz groups playing for dances and gatherings in the Tug Valley and Tri-State area. Byron worked alongside his mother, Roxie, and his wife, Ruth, as co-owner of Thornton’s Department Store in Kermit. Thornton’s provided family clothing to the surrounding Kermit area for 47 years until Byron and Ruth retired in 1995. After retirement, Byron began working at the Warfield Branch of the Inez Deposit Bank where he could be found interacting with patrons. Byron and Ruth were married on November 24, 1954 at the Kermit United Methodist Church. The couple then spent 18 months in Germany where Byron was serving in the United States Army. The couple resided with a German family in Weinheim, Germany and traveled to various locations throughout Europe. Byron was a man of strong Christian faith and life-long member of the Kermit United Methodist Church where he served many leadership roles. Byron was also a leader in the surrounding Kermit area, serving on the board of directors of many organizations and foundations. Byron was an active member in the Kermit Kiwanis Club. An avid sports fan, Byron was instrumental in organizing youth athletics in the Kermit area and led efforts to provide athletic facilities. He was also an integral part of a delegation of Tug Valley area leaders who lobbied Congress in Washington, D.C. to provide adequate flood control measures for communities along the Tug River. Byron was a friend to many. His genuine kindness and personal connection brought happiness to everyone around him. More than anything, Byron’s greatest joy came from being a loving husband, father and grandfather. Visitation will be held on August 22, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Callaham Funeral Home in Inez, Kentucky with additional visitation from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Kermit United Methodist Church prior to funeral services. Funeral services will be conducted on August 23, 2024 at 11:00am at Kermit United Methodist Church, with Pastor Ronnie Pinson officiating. Interment services will follow at Mountain View Memory Gardens, Maher, West Virginia. Donations may be made in memory of Byron at Kermit United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 455, Kermit, West Virginia 25674. Arrangements are under the direction of the Callaham Funeral Home, Inez, Kentucky.

Byron Walter Thornton Jr.

January 20, 1933 - August 17, 2024

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Byron Walter Thornton Jr.

January 20, 1933 - August 17, 2024

365 Days of Grief Support

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