This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Thornton, Bonds, McMahon, Kirk, White, Shelley Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/5YB.2ACE/2774 Message Board Post: Billy Gene Thornton was born February 18, 1932 in Roger Mills County near Grimes and Reydon, Oklahoma, to Arthur and Myrtle Thornton, and passed from this life February 9, 2002 near Del Rio, Texas, at the age of 69 years and 11 months. He was the youngest of three children, raised in and around Cheyenne, Oklahoma. He attended school at Meadow Brook, and graduated from Cheyenne High School. He received his BA Degree in Animal Husbandry from Oklahoma A&M at Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1954. Billy served in the United States Army on active duty and in the Reserves. In November of 1954 he entered the Army Corp of Engineers and served 2 years in Germany. He was discharged in October of 1956. During his time in the militaary he achieved the rank of Major. He and Dorothy were married in Germany in January of 1956, and unto this union four children were born: Lisa, Neal, Karen and Les. After the service they returned to Kansas City for training and then to Des Moines, Iowa where Billy was a live stock reporter from Feburary of 1957 until August of 1962. They then returned to Manhatten, Kansas where he attended Kansas State University and graduated in 1966 with his degree in Veterinary Medicine. He had his veterinary practice in Grant, New Mexico, for 27 years, where he treated large and small animals. He and Dorothy made their home and raised their family. Dorthy and the kids came to be affectionately referred to as the family "pooper scoopers." Upon retirement in 1994, Billy enjoyed refurbishing old tractors, especially the Ford 8N and 9N, he also enjoyed wood working projects. Other hobbies included fishing, Rving, and playing his guitar. He liked going south to warmer climates where he could boat and fish in the winter. He and Dorthy have spent the past four winters in Del Rio, Texas. Billy was preceded in death by his parents: Arthur and Myrtle Thornton, and by one sister; Betty Lou Bonds-McMahon. He is survived by his wife, Dorthy; his children: Lisa and husband Charlie Kirk; Neil and wife Crinda; Karen and husband David White; Les and wife Shelley; one brother, Dale Thornton; six grandchildren: Alisha, Catlin, Mallory, Cody, Callie, and Cole, and a host of other relatives and many friends. Burial was in the Red Star Cemetery, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma Cheyenne Star, Cheyenne, OK 28-Feb-2002