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William Otto “Bill” Thornby

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William Otto “Bill” Thornby

Birth	:	26 Dec 1908 Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA
Death	:	6 Jan 1993 Big Timber, Sweet Grass County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Mountain View Cemetery, Big Timber, Sweet Grass County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.8243660, -109.9660960
Plot	:	Section 5 Block 43 Lot 1 Grave 1
Description	:	Big Timber Pioneer, January 13, 1993 William O. Thornby passed away on January 6 in the Emergency Room of Sweet Grass Family Medicine. He was born December 26, 1908, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Omar and Nettie Thornby the second n a family of six children. While he was still a small child the family moved to a farm near Sand Creek, Wisconsin, where Bill received his education and grew to manhood. In 1928 he was one of a pair of venturesome youths who traveled to Montana in a Model T Ford to work in the hayfields at... Read More	Big Timber Pioneer, January 13, 1993 William O. Thornby passed away on January 6 in the Emergency Room of Sweet Grass Family Medicine. He was born December 26, 1908, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Omar and Nettie Thornby the second n a family of six children. While he was still a small child the family moved to a farm near Sand Creek, Wisconsin, where Bill received his education and grew to manhood. In 1928 he was one of a pair of venturesome youths who traveled to Montana in a Model T Ford to work in the hayfields at McLeod ranch of Charlie Nicholson. At the end of the summer, his friend returned to Wisconsin but Bill had decided that he liked Montana and would make it his home. He then worked for Oie Motor Company and also was the mail carrier to McLeod. In the winter the road to McLeod would sometimes become impassable so he would borrow a horse from a rancher and continue on horseback "for the mail must go through". this dedication to the task at hand was typical of Bill and continued through his life. He later opened Thornby's Service Station on Highway 10 in Big Timber. During WWII he served his country in the United States Navy. Bill was appointed to the Montana Highway Patrol in 1942 and served in Miles City, Lewistown, Bozeman, Butte, Glendive, and Billings. He retired as a Captain in Billings where he was Commander of Division 4. His tenure in the patrol was 26 years and 9 months. He was married to Lillian Grosfield in 1933 and they became the parents of one son, William David. Lillian passed away in 1974. In 1980 Bill married Sigrid Woodward who survives him. Other survivors include his son and wife, Bill and Dorothy Thornby of Great Falls; a stepson and his wife, Jim and Carol Woodward of Cottage Grove, Minnesota; a sister, Gladyce Veum of Eau Claire, WI; three grandchildren, Herbert Thornby of San Francisco, Shelly Thornby of Missoula and Jay Woodward to each of whom he was a devoted grandpa. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Bill was a member of the big Timber Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #19, Doris Lodge #53 A.F.&A.M., the Association of Montana Retired Public Employees, a retired member of the Big Timber Volunteer Fire Department, in which he once served as chief, and a loyal supporter of the Hospitality House Senior Center which he considered a second home and faithfully visited each day in order to see friends and help in any way he could. Bill will be remembered as a capable and caring friend with a great sense of humor and an intense love and loyalty to family, this community, and his country. Memorial services were held on Saturday, January 9 from the big Timber Lutheran Church with Reverend James Holmlund officiating. Music was provided by Leslie Schiele on the organ and soloist Jim Bratvold. Contributor: Julia Kinsey (48922386

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Otto “Bill” Thornby's memorial?
William Otto “Bill” Thornby's memorial is located at: Mountain View Cemetery, Big Timber, Sweet Grass County, USA.
When did William Otto “Bill” Thornby death?
William Otto “Bill” Thornby death on 6 Jan 1993 in Big Timber, Sweet Grass County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Otto “Bill” Thornby's memorial?
Latitude: 45.8243660
Longitude: -109.9660960

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Alice Lilian “Lil” Grosfield Thornby

(1911 - 1974)

Siblings

Flowers:

Left by Anonymous on 16 Jul 2018

Left by Anonymous on 05 Feb 2021

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17. Rosebud Cemetery
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18. Wilsall Cemetery
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