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William Thornley Obituary

William Thornley Charleston - William Preston Thornley, 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 14, 2016. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. William P. Thornley are invited to attend his Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at St. James Church. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery with Military Honors. William's guestbook may be signed at www.CharlestonFunerals.com. William was born on January 20, 1924 in Anderson South Carolina as the third son of Bertrand K. Thornley and Martha Westmoreland Thornley. He graduated from Greenville High School and attended the University of South Carolina. In 1943 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served as a Turret Gunner for missions in the Pacific campaigns including Guadalcanal, New Guinea and the Philippines. His service decorations include the Asiatic Pacific Theater Operations Medal, the Philippine Liberation G023 Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. After his honorable discharge in 1946, he relocated to Europe as an agent of various life insurance companies that catered to American military personnel. He married his wife of 56 years in 1959 and ultimately returned to the US settling in Charleston SC. He was baptized into Christ at St James Church on James Island and served as an usher for many years. He is survived by his wife, Ingeborg Barbara Danz Thornley; his daughter, Melanie Ann Schuh; his son Erick Preston Byrd; his six grandchildren: Colin, Emily, Conrad, Adam, Liza and Andrew and three great grandchildren: Craig, Grady and Wynn. Memorials may be made to St. James Church, 1872 Camp Road, Charleston, SC 29412. Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. 766-1365 Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Feb. 15 to Feb. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for William Thornley

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5 Entries

Will,Rebecca,William&James Thornley

February 22, 2016

Our deepest condolences. We are sorry for your loss. We will miss Bill.

Lori Miller

February 16, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers to your family at this most difficult time.

Lori Miller and Doris Miller

Lori Miller

February 16, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this most difficult time.

Lori Miller and Doris Miller

Jimmy,Patty,James &Lauren Hayes

February 16, 2016

To the Thornley Family,
We are very sorry to hear of your loss.We sincerely hope that all of your memories help you through these difficult times.All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.God Bless.

Leonie Gill

February 15, 2016

My deepest condolences and love to you, Inge, and your family. Pop was a dear man who loved his family and lived life well. God bless him and you all.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

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