William Hollis Thorn, 92, died Friday, October 11, 2013, at Darlington Oaks in Verona. He was born January 5, 1921, in Itawamba County to Marshall and Dera Rollins Thorn. He was a lifelong resident of Peaceful Valley. He was a cattle and tree farmer, and a member of East Fulton Baptist Church. He was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II where he served in the Phillipines. He earned several medals including two Purple Hearts, a Combat Infantry badge, and a Bronze Service star. He was a true conservationist always believing land should be left for the next generation in better condition than it was found. He served many years as a committeeman for the ASCS.
Services with military honors will be at 2 p. m. Sunday, October 13, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Fulton with Bro. Dewitt Bain and Bro. Eugene Digby officiating. Burial will be in the Keyes Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Mildred Hargett Thorn; one son, Wayne Thorn (Leatrice); both of Peaceful Valley; two grandsons, Eric Thorn (Kim) of Peaceful Valley and Steve Prestridge of Saltillo; and two sisters, Opal Lynch of Kentwood, MI, and Vonie Wellnitz of Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant son, Johnny Mac Thorn; a daughter-in-law, Kaye Smith Thorn; four sisters, Ruth Moon, Ella Mae Filorama, Lottie Quammen, and Edna Pate Pounders; and three brothers, Edgar, Herman, and Homer Thorn.
Pallbearers will be Eric Thorn, Steve Prestridge, Barry Green, David Archie, Steve Moore, and Paul Morrow.
Honorary pallbearers will be Douglas Thorn, James Davis, and Ernie Ray McMillen.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p. m. Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to East Fulton Baptist Church, 1200 East Main St., Fulton, MS 38843.
