William "Bill" C. Thornton Jr.

William “Bill” C. Thornton Jr., age 75, went to Heaven on Friday, September 25, 2026. He was born in Racine on February 20, 1951 to the late William and Vera (Huggins) Thornton.

Born and raised in the Racine area, Bill is a graduate of JI Case High School. He went on to dedicate 20 years of his life to serving his country in the United States Army as a Military Police officer. Following his retirement from the Army, Bill began a second career with the United States Postal Service, where he spent another 20 years serving his community before retiring.

Bill had a wonderful sense of humor, much like his father. His gentle humor was something special and one of the many qualities that made him so lovable. He was soft-spoken, kind, and generous, with a quiet way of making those around him feel comfortable and cared for. Bill loved cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers, spending time outdoors, and working in his yard. Retirement gave him the opportunity to slow down and savor the simple things in life—a day outside, a well-kept yard, a baseball game, and, most importantly, the company of family and friends.

Fifty years after their high school prom, Bill and Kathy reconnected following the passing of Bill’s first wife, Judy. Their friendship blossomed into a loving relationship, and they were married on December 20, 2019, in Appleton, after Bill relocated from Racine. Bill cherished being part of Kathy’s world. He loved attending church and small group with her and embraced the life they shared together. Kathy’s daughters, who had lost their father ten years earlier, came to love Bill and warmly welcomed him into their family. In turn, Bill treasured the opportunity to be part of their lives and became a beloved husband, father figure, and member of the family.

Bill is survived by his wife, Kathy (Green) Thornton; children: Jeffrey Thornton, Amanda (Josh) Fraser; his wife’s children: Natalie and Stephanie Green; brothers: Jon (Francine) Thornton, Scott (Sharon) Thornton, Randy (Rochelle) Thornton; and brother-in-law, Tom (Sue) Konieczko. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy (Gianforte) Thornton; and parents, William and Vera Thornton.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Valley Harvest Church, 2216 American Drive, Neenah. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the hour service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.  For online condolences, please visit www.valleyfh.com.

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