Home > Canada > Alberta > Hanna Census Division > Consort > Lakeroad Cemetery > William Claude Thornton

William Claude Thornton

Birth	:	15 Jun 1916 Alberta, Canada
Death	:	1 Apr 2009 Consort, Hanna Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Burial	:	Lakeroad Cemetery, Consort, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate	:	52.0261200, -110.7681300
Description	:	William Claude Thornton (June 15, 1916 - April 1, 2009) W. Claude Thornton died peacefully in the Long Term Care facility in Consort, Alberta on Wednesday, April 1, 2009. He was born and raised in the Sedalia/Consort area. His schooling was in the Sedalia area, getting to grade 8 before he quit to go to work. During the depression, he left home at an early age and went to work on the neighboring farms, usually working for room and board. He raised collie (Lassie) dogs, and had a great love for animals. During the war, he worked as a cook's helper in the Columbia... Read More	William Claude Thornton (June 15, 1916 - April 1, 2009) W. Claude Thornton died peacefully in the Long Term Care facility in Consort, Alberta on Wednesday, April 1, 2009. He was born and raised in the Sedalia/Consort area. His schooling was in the Sedalia area, getting to grade 8 before he quit to go to work. During the depression, he left home at an early age and went to work on the neighboring farms, usually working for room and board. He raised collie (Lassie) dogs, and had a great love for animals. During the war, he worked as a cook's helper in the Columbia ice fields before returning home. His belief in hard work and love of God was his mantra and tried to live as honestly as he could. He was always doing someone a good turn, and he always had a smile on his face and loved a good joke. He married Helen Kroeger and resided in the town of Consort, before moving up to the Lodge. Upon Helen's passing, he continued to live at the Lodge before going to the Long Term Care Facility in Consort. He is predeceased by his wife Helen, parents John (Jack) and Eleanor Thornton, brother John Phillip, brothers-in-law, George Cook, Leonard Down & Clifford Johnson. He is survived by brothers: Joe (Effie) Thornton, Gerald (Myra) Norndon, Keith (Anne) Thornton, sisters: Fern Cook, Ivy Down, Iris Johnstone, and Myrtle (Laverne) Wallace & numerous nieces & nephews. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 2 p.m. in Knox United Church, Consort, with Rev. Sandy Macpherson officiating. John and Daniel McCormack read scriptures and Jody McCormack gave a loving tribute. Linda Osetsky played the piano for the congregational hymns led in song by the Knox United Church Choir. Active Pallbearers were Gerald, Daniel and John McCormack, Ernest Thorn-ton, Dave Browne and Wayne Bamber. Honorary Pallbearers were "All of Claude's Family and Friends". The interment followed in Lakeroad Cemetery Consort, Alberta. Family and friends then gathered together in the basement of the church for a time of sharing and luncheon prepared by the Knox United Church Women. Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Ladies Auxiliary at the Consort Hospital in Claude's name. Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium 'Families Serving Families' were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. Eulogy by Jody McCormack William Claude Thornton was born on the farm in Sedalia on June 15, 1916 to John (Jack) and Elanore Thornton. He would be the first of 9 siblings all born on the farm except the last three, John, Keith and Myrt. He was close to Gramma, helping her with the farm chores while Grampa tended the fields. He often remarked at what a hard worker Gramma was and was determined not to see his own wife toil as hard. He told us of a few stories from his childhood, recalling how he had to tend the schoolhouse each morning before the students arrived. One day, he put all the kids up in the loft, saying to the Teacher, I guess they aren't coming, but you might hear a rooster. Immediately one of the kids started to crow. This went on, his naming animals, the kids making a rackett, and the teacher wondering where all the animals were hidden. I kind of wonder how that teacher ever made it through Uncle Claudes schooling years! She made the mistake once of complaining in the wintertime she was cold. Well, you guessed it, Uncle Claude arrived early and put so much wood into the wood stove it made it too hot to sit near. I don't think she ever complained about being cold again! It was Uncle Earl (I think) who offered the kids 5 cents a gopher tail, as they were a nuisance and he in turn gave them to the local pest control man. The kids got wise and started to just pull their tails off, and much to their delight, they were still paid the going rate. It worked pretty good too until Uncle Earl caught sight of a bare tailed gopher! That was the end of that! Uncle Claude was a person with a great sense of responsibility, and at the tender age of 15 left the family home to make his way in the world. When I asked him about leaving home at such an early age, he simply said, there was not a lot of money to be had, and there were other mouths to feed. He worked out on neighboring farms for room and board and enjoyed working with animals. His favorite were the big teams of horses and when the tractors came on the scene, he stuck to his team. He told Gerald and I many times of how he would do chores when it was bitter cold out and then help the neighbors as their tractors wouldn't start. I think he had a private chuckle to himself: progress! He had a great love for the Lord and had read the Bible many times. I think he could give most people a run for their money when it came to remembering passages and interpretation of the Good Word. I asked him a couple of times if he would like me to get him a subscription to Reader's Digest or something like that, and he said No, I just read the Bible. I think it was a great comfort to him when he was so very far from home. During the war, Uncle Claude made his way to the Columbia Ice fields to work in a concentration camp as a cook's helper. It was there that he first saw the mountains, and it became a favorite memory for him. He said that the area was breathtaking and the wildlife was amazing. He stayed there for a while and was asked to stay on, but home called him back and he arrived in Consort shortly after the war. He worked again for other people, Kroeger Brothers being one. He always enjoyed working with engines and would have liked to pursue that trade, but money again was a problem. He married Aunt Helen May 27, 1967 and was able to make a home for her in Consort. Unfortunately, they didn't have children, which was too bad as Uncle Claude was so great with kids. My favorite memories of visiting Consort was playing with Uncle Claude. In those days, kids had to play outside while the adults visited. I think he liked kids because they were so honest. Honesty was very important to Uncle Claude. They lived in town before moving to the Lodge in Consort, and resided there for a good many years. When Aunt Helen passed, Uncle Claude continued to live at the Lodge, still helping the local people with whatever job needed to be done. He was still shoveling walks, mowing grass, or whatever needed doing until he was moved into Long Term Care at the hospital. We had the very great joy of getting to know Uncle Claude as adults over the last few years. My husband and I, or my Dad John and I would visit with him and recall the good old days. When Dad passed on, Gerald and I continued to come and see Uncle Claude. We had a good many laughs and I will cherish the memories he passed on to me and my family. It is hard to put into words how someone has touched your life, as he has mine. He was such a hoot, he had a great sense of humor and was always happy to see us arrive. We were the lucky ones really. Uncle Claude passed quietly in his sleep on April 1, 2009. He was cheery up to the end, and when asked, he was just fine, or not too bad. He wasn't a complainer and I know that he is with the Lord. He missed Aunt Helen a great deal, and he is now reunited with her.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Claude Thornton's memorial?
William Claude Thornton's memorial is located at: Lakeroad Cemetery, Consort, Hanna Census Division, Canada.
When did William Claude Thornton death?
William Claude Thornton death on 1 Apr 2009 in Consort, Hanna Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the William Claude Thornton's memorial?
Latitude: 52.0261200
Longitude: -110.7681300

Family Members:

Spouse

Helena Kroeger Thornton

(1919 - 1997)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Lakeroad Cemetery
Consort, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.0261200, -110.7681300

2. Saint Andrew's Catholic Cemetery
Consort, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.0050900, -110.7915000

3. Butte Cemetery
Sedalia, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 51.9936520, -110.6300270

4. Monitor Cemetery
Monitor, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 51.9872300, -110.5747400

5. Veteran Cemetery
Veteran, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 51.9970600, -111.1347800

6. St. Peter's German Lutheran Cemetery
Hemaruka, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 51.8343560, -110.9957110

7. Veteran Hutterite Cemetery
Veteran, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.1268900, -111.1480681

8. St. Olaf's Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery
Veteran, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.1429700, -111.1654450

9. Pleasant Ridge Lutheran
Provost, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.1692990, -110.3810120

10. Kirriemuir Cemetery
Kirriemuir, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 51.9105900, -110.3126000

11. Cadogan Cemetery
Cadogan, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3170600, -110.4802500

12. Sardis Lutheran Cemetery
Czar, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3763900, -110.7980200

13. Cadogan West Cemetery
Cadogan, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3000000, -110.3600000

14. New Brigden Cemetery
New Brigden, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 51.7004100, -110.4785400

15. Cadogan Lutheran Cemetery North
Cadogan, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3477150, -110.4579160

16. Skyline Cemetery
Provost, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.2890200, -110.3278000

17. Senkiw Cemetery
Veteran, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 51.7466300, -111.1869500

18. Metiskow Cemetery
Metiskow, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4030900, -110.6283200

19. Altario Cemetery
Altario, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 51.9029300, -110.1711300

20. Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetery
Altario, Hanna Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 51.9121257, -110.1596466

21. Provost Mennonite Cemetery
Provost, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.2590700, -110.2456570

22. Bodo Cemetery
Bodo, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.1072600, -110.0943600

23. Hughenden Hutterite Colony Cemetery
Hughenden, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4345247, -111.0016577

24. Czar Lutheran Cemetery
Czar, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4577900, -110.8442800