Willis Albert “Bud” Thornton, 72, of Patterson, passed away early Sunday morning, February 9, 2025, at the McGraw Community Hospice in Jacksonville, FL, following a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Born April 4, 1952, in Offerman, he was a son of the late Thomas Albert and Wily V. Thomas Thornton. He lived all his life in Pierce County and was a 1971 graduate of Patterson High School.
He worked his full career in the pipe rehabilitation industry, working many years at Insituform until he and his long-time friend and business partner, David Herrin, opened Southeast Pipe Survey, Inc. in Patterson. They worked together for 22 years until his health forced him to retire in 2007.
He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed watching the Georgia Bulldogs with family and friends. Many days he could be found fishing on the Satilla River or spending time in the outdoors gardening and maintaining his yard, but spending time and making memories with his family was his top priority.
He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and spent many hours listening to gospel music.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Brian Ashley Thornton; a son-in-law, Cary Wayne Colley; a grandson, Jordan Taylor Crews; his brother, Thomas James “Jimmy” Thornton; two sisters, Patricia Page and Merle Jean Taylor and twobrothers-in-law, Gary Page and Jimmy Ray Sornson.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Bonnie Thornton, Patterson; two daughters, Shelly Crews (husband Nick) and Jammie Boatright (husband Joby), both of Patterson; grandchildren, Ashley Thornton (wife Ashlie), Callie Harrison (husband Brandon), Abbie Thornton (Will Johnson), Josh Crews, Brooke Crews (Brianna McQuaig), Taylor Colley (fiancé Turin Herring), Alivia Colley (fiancé Cason Turner), Bryer Boatright (wife Makayla), and Thorn Boatright; great-grandchildren, Stetson Thornton, Maddox Thornton, Emersyn Thornton, Justin Thornton, Breanna Harrison, Sadie Mae Boatright, Carson Ferguson and Amriella Colley due very soon; four sisters, Linda Thornton Sornson of Patterson, Libby Strickland and Marilyn Snyder (husband Norman), both of Jacksonville and Debbie Griggs of Waycross and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Visitation will be from 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church near Patterson.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13, from the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
Interment will follow in the Offerman Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
