The funeral services for the late Mr. Billy “Bill” Thornton, who departed this life on Friday, May 8, 2026, will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. from the Zion Hope Baptist Church in Ashburn, Georgia. Elder Ulysses Teague will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will follow in the Westview Memorial Cemetery in Ashburn, Georgia.

In accordance with our Heavenly Father’s plan, on Friday morning, May 8, 2026, Mr. Billy E. Thornton departed his fulfilled life.

Mr. Billy E. Thornton was born on June 19, 1954 on Ashburn, Georgia to Mr. and Mrs. Mose and Mandy Marlow Thornton.

Billy loved the Lord and love to hear his cousin, Elder Ulysses Teague preach and teach God’s Word, and could often be heard preaching along with him on the Sundays he attended church at New Beginning Church of God By Faith.

The seeds of learning were planted early in Billy’s life through the educated he received as a product of the Turner County School System.

Billy worked as a mechanic for many years and enjoyed participating in fishing and cooking for his family.

On May 21, 2004, Billy was united in Holy Matrimony to Michelle Smith.

On Friday, May 8, 2026 Billy passed away peacefully after putting up a great fight at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mose and Mandy Thornton; his grandson, J’Lyn Smith; his great grandson, Ezra Simmons; his sister-in-law, Susie Ann Coley, and aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Billy leaves to cherish his legacy his devoted wife, Michelle Smith-Thornton; his children, Jeffery Lockett, Justin Smith, Patricia Wilson, An’Nisha Smith; fourteen grandchildren, one great grandchild; three sisters, Emma (Willie) Morrow, Mary (Steve) Burns, both of Ashburn, GA, Dianne (Paul) Beckham of Tifton, GA; a brother, Willie Thornton of Ashburn, GA; brothers-in-law, Tommie Smith of Dallas, TX, Osie (Marilyn) Smith of Camilla, GA, Connell (Maria) Smith of Lenox, GA; aunt, Doris Bell; uncles, Daniel (Dorothy) Marlow, Albert Spears; three special friends, Thomas Singleton, Sr., George McKenzie, Sonny Burgess; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and sorrowing friends.