of Greenbrier, AR
April 23, 1938 - August 21, 2015
Willard Ray Thorn departed this life Friday, August 21, 2015 at his home in Greenbrier after a long fight with multiple health issues. He was born at Guy, Arkansas the fourth son of Gerald Thorn and Bertha Hooten Thorn Loveless on April 23, 1938. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Olen ''Hoot'' Thorn, Randall ''Till'' Thorn and one sister Rhonda Ann Treadaway.
He is survived by his loving wife of fifty six years, Kay Ann Thorn; one son Mark Ray Thorn and wife Shelly; two daughters Lisa Darlene Halk and husband Robin, Leslie Denise Brown; six grandchildren Candice Halk, Kayla Brown Tubbs (Jimmy), Will Brown, Wes Brown, Cari Beth Halk Wilder (Caleb) and Madison Thorn; five great-grandchildren Bryleigh Tubbs, Mayceigh Tubbs, Kaycen Wilson, Hatteigh Jo Tubbs and Emma Brown; three step-grandchildren Christopher Halk (Jessica), Katie Chenoweth (Chad) and Kyle Brown; four step great-grandchildren Mariah, Brenly, Drake Halk and Madison Chenoweth; two sisters Nana Kay Thorn Nichols (Wayne) and Ruby Gail Burroughs (Ken); two brothers J.L ''Missy'' Thorn (Winnie) and Melvin ''Pete'' Thorn (Sandra); sister-in-law Margaret Thorn; and brother-in-law Buford Treadaway.
Willard can best be described as a warrior and a fighter. He fought to live. He was born during the great depression, the fourth son in a family of eight children. Immediately after his birth, his mother became ill and was unable to care for him. Other family members fed him cow's milk just to get him to live.
''He fought to survive''. The family's home burned when he was three years old. He grew up in a partially rebuilt house. The family was so poor that he couldn't afford the fifteen cents for lunch at school. While the other children ate their lunch, he played outside learning to run fast, move quickly and how to fight anyone that would try to ''make fun'' of how poor he was.
''He fought to achieve''. In high school, he learned to love sports. He found that he could run faster, jump higher and think more quickly which helped him to excel in basketball, baseball and track. He was the first ''All State'' basketball player from Guy-Perkins School. Willard was the first basketball player to develop and perform the one-handed jump shot at Guy-Perkins High School.
''He fought to rise above.'' Willard worked at Virco Mfg. Company and in the construction of the electrical power construction towers that were built to criss cross the state in the 1950's and 1960's. He drove an eighteen wheeler Wonder Bread Transport Truck for 28 years. He owned and operated Thorn's Exxon in Greenbrier in the 1970's. In the 1980's, he began raising beef cattle. He started with three shorthorn heifers that he bought for his children to show at the fair. He rented Mrs. Lorene Crump's farm in the early 1980's and built his herd to about 35 head. In 2009, he leased his deceased brother Till Thorn's farm and bought one half of his herd and enjoyed working the farm until his health declined to a point that his son stepped in and worked the farm for his dad. Willard was a charter member of the Greenbrier Junior Chamber of commerce and served as its first vice-president. He served two terms on the Greenbrier City Council. He was Mayor of Greenbrier in 1987. He was mayor for only a short time but was very proud of the work he did to bring ''good drinking water'' from Greer's Ferry Lake by way of the community water system. He fought hard for the present system.
''He fought illness.'' He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1998. He spent 50 days in Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock that year. He's endured many surgeries as a result of accidents and illnesses. Willard fought his final battle against prostate and bone cancer. Praise God, He gave Willard the final victory when he drew his final breath surrounded by his family.
Willard was also a listener and a receiver. Parallel to his life as a warrior, he also listened and received many blessings. At the age of seventeen, he listened to the Holy Spirit's call as he sat under the preaching of Bro. Jurl Mitchell. After being convicted by many of his sermons, he asked Jesus to forgive his sins and save his soul. He went forward on a Sunday night, confessing his need of Jesus. He was saved and joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Willard was baptized in North Cadron Creek at Pinnacle Springs.
He listened to his heart and married his high school sweetheart on January 30, 1959 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. He received a mate for life.
He listened to the first cries of his three children and received each of them into his arms and heart. He listened to and received much sweet joy watching and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
What a glorious and blessed life God gave him. We love you Willard, Daddy and Papa.
Visitation will be Monday, August 24, 2015, 6:00-9:00pm, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Funeral service will be Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 10:00am, in Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Brother Tim Brewer officiating. Interment will follow in the Copperas Springs Cemetery under the direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Greenbrier (501)679-2575.
Pallbearers will be Danny Thorn, Alan Carmichael, Travis Thorn, Todd Thorn, Brock Roberts, James Dickens, Timothy Dycus and Jason Burroughs. Serving as Honorary pallbearers are Steven Thorn, Ron Thorn, Robbie Thorn, Christopher Halk, William Brown, Wesley Brown, Kaycen Wilson, Jimmy Tubbs, Caleb Wilder, Robin Halk and the members of Holland Masonic Lodge #158.
Kay, Praying that God will wrap His arms of love around you and comfort you and give you peace. Willard was loved by all and he will be greatly missed, With deepest sympathy, Woody and Margie Parker
So sorry to hear about Willard. Been praying and thinking about you.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Willard. One of the highlights of my days was when Willard would come in the shop wether it was to have something checked out or just to visit. He could always put a smile on your face He will be greatly missed
I met Willard years before I moved to Guy in 1997. We would have breakfast at 4AM when he was on his way to work in NLR. I always loved his stories of his hometown and he was the biggest influence in me moving my family here. He was a fine man with great values. Our prayers go out to Kay and the entire Thorn family and community.
David and Corliss Adams
To all the family, our prayers are for you and thoughts are with you. Our classmates were special, may God bless each and every one of you.
Trav
I'm so sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
I pray for peace and comfort for every member of this family. Willard was such a sweet man who always made me feel like one of his own when I was at his home. He always had a smile and a hug for me whenever I saw him, regardless of how badly he felt. I know the loss you all feel is tremendous, but the memories and the love he leaves behind are even greater. Love to each of you.
Kay Ann and family, so sorry for your loss. I know there will be an emptiness in your heart for Willard. May God be with you and yours and bring you peace knowing there is no more pain. The pain in your heart will go away but the beautiful memories will last forever. Thinking of you.
I am so sorry for the loss of Mr. Thorn. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Thorn's family. My great-grandmother was a Thorn before her marriage and so we are related. I am looking forward to seeing all of our family and friends within the gates of Heaven in the future.
Mark and the rest of family sorry for your loss but look up and you all know where he is, prayer for all.
I grew up with Willard in republican and greenbrier,we gave each other hair cuts when we were about 6-7 years old. he was a pretty good barber although my mother did not think so.
thinking of you,all
Kay Ann, Lisa, Leslie and Mark - Willard Thorn was one of the best men I've ever met. He always had a smile, a handshake and a kind word. He was one of my heroes. My daddy has been gone 20 years, but I felt his presence when I was with Willard. May God's Holy Spirit wrap around you as only The Great Comforter can during this difficult time. I love you all!
Mrs. Kay Thorn,
So sorry for your loss. I didn't know Willard as well as Rhoda and Till but from what I know he was a great man. I will be praying for you and all your family. Your entire family are such wonderful loving people. May God be with all of you in this time of sorrow.
I am very sorry for your loss to the Thorn Family, he will be missed by everyone who knew him !
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. God bless!
I couldn't ask for a better brother, of course we had our ups & downs, but we still loved each other...23 years ago he told me they had a job opening at WonderBread, so i apply for it and got the job, by just being Willard sister...no questions ask., I went to Memphis and they were so happy to meet Willard sister....Willard drove the 18 wheeler truck that brought bread & cakes to LR from Memphis....when he would come to the LR Bakery he would lay down on his horn,,,Everyone one would shout out, HERES WILLARD...first i didn't know what they meant,,,but everyday after that it was the same ole thing...I was always so proud to see him and to listen for that horn to blow, so i could say HERES WILLARD..with them....he was a happy go lucky at work, and everyone loved him...I just want to say I'M PROUD to be your sister, and will miss you dearly....I love you Willard, and yes ,he was a fighter in more ways than one...
May God keep you and hold you in his all powerful hands prayers for whole family love you all so sorry for your loss
A good man and brother. I always enjoyed seeing him. May the spirit fill your hearts in this time of sorrow.
My Thoughts and Prayers are with you all. Willard will be missed by many. He was a good Neighbor. Take solace in the fact that you can meet him again in Heaven.
Kay and family Willard was a great person and will be missed your in my prayers Mom always talks about the time he came to Michigan and lived with them for a while and he came back to Arkansas to marry Kay. RIP.
Prayers for all of the family and friends RIP WILLARD,your home with God.
I am sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers.
I worked at the Ark Forestry Commission and would pass by several times a day, Willard was usually always outside tinkering with something, always friendly! Never met a stranger, so sorry for your loss, know that he is out of pain and suffering. You will be reunited again! You are all in my prayers.
I am sorry for your loss, you and all your families are in my prayers.
Thinking of your family and sending up prayers for all of you. So sorry to hear of your loss
Ms. Kay and Family,
We are deeply sorry for your loss of Mr. Willard.
Mom often spoke highly of him. He was a good friend and neighbor to Mom and Dad over the years. Mom was always happy to see him come over when he mowed the fields.
He will be missed by many.
May the Good Lord hold your family in his hands during this time of loss.
Deepest Sympathy,
The Fern Wilson Family
(Fern Wilson, Jean Wilson Evans, James Wilson, David Wilson)
To the Thorn family, Always knew Willard as a Kind and Friendly Man,He always took time to Speak when he was seen around town.May GOD comfort you in the time to Come.
So very sorry for your loss... He was a wonderful man and will be missed by all that knew him! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.
We will always have fond memories of Uncle Willard. Asking God to wrap his arms around Aunt Kay, Mark, Lisa, Leslie and all the rest of his family, comfort each one of you, give you peace, flood your heart and mind with wonderful memories and carry you through the days ahead. We love you all.
So sorry Mrs .Lisa for your loss..
Kay and family, so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers and thoughts
Uncle Willard had many nicknames growing up although I couldn't list 'em all and some his brothers gave him, which came from a joke between the brothers. Always laughter and fun being around the brothers and their families and Willard right in the middle of it, along with Hoot (my Dad). He definitely loved his family and the Greenbrier Community. Praying for Aunt Kay, Lisa, Leslie, Mark and all the family. He kept his title true "A Warrior" right to the end. Love ya Uncle Willard and we'll miss you.
Sending love and prayers!
To an awesome and fine Family, my heart bleeds for you at this time. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
He was always so full of life everywhere he went. He will truly be missed. Much love and many prayers that God provide you the peace and comfort only He can!
Kay Ann, I hope you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Blessings be upon you.