Byron Walter ‘Windy’ Thornton Jr.
1933—2024
Byron Walter ‘Windy’ Thornton Jr., 91, of Kermit, West Virginia, passed away Aug. 17, 2024.
Byron was a lifelong resident of Kermit.
He was born in Kermit on Jan. 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. Zachery 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 Nov. 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. They resided with a German family in Weinheim, Germany and traveled to various locations throughout Europe.
Byron was a man of strong Christian faith and lifelong member of the Kermit United Methodist Church where he served many leadership roles. He 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 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 Aug. 22, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Callaham Funeral Home in Inez, Kentucky, with additional visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Kermit United Methodist Church prior to funeral services. Funeral services will be conducted Aug. 23, 2024 at 11 a.m. 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.