William Edward Thornton, 88 CANFIELD - Prayers will be held at 8:45 a.m., Monday, at the Fox Funeral Home, Boardman, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated the Rev. Edward Noga at 9:15 a.m. at St. Patrick Church ,Youngstown, for William Thornton who passed away Tuesday morning at the Inn at Ironwood. Bill was born January,7,1927 , in Youngstown, a son of William B. and Mary Devaney Thornton and was a lifelong area resident. He graduated from East High School with the Class of 1945 and immediately went and enrolled in the army. He served his country as part of the post war invasion in Belgium and France, where he was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. After returning from the war, Bill worked in for Fitzsimmons Steel Co. and as a stationary engineer at Youngstown Thermal. He was a long time member of St. Patrick's Parish and was a founding member of St. Patrick's Men's club and St. Vincent De Paul. Bill was an avid Indians fan, loved Mill Creek Park and enjoyed taking care of his pet dogs, especially Jazz. His wife the former Jane Donovan whom he married on May 9,1953 died on June 9,1995 after celebrating 42 years of marriage. He leaves to cherish his memory, his two sons, William Thornton and his wife Doreen of Boardman and their children, Megan and Bill (Jessica) , Sean Thornton and his wife Kristen of Canfield and their children, Emma, Keegan,Finn,Delaney ; three daughters, Mary Ellen Sassi of Canfield and her son,Christopher (CJ), Peggy Luchansky and her husband Peter of Canfield,Nancy Miller and her husband Alan of Canfield and their children , Sarah and Connor and his sister Kathleen Scarmack also of Canfield and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his wife and parents; Bill was preceded in death by his three brothers, Jack, Michael and Jim Thornton; his sisters, Carolyn "Jean" Cappabianca, Margaret Thornton and Patricia Thornton. Friends may call from 4p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, at the Fox Funeral Home, Boardman. Monetary donations can be made in Bill's memory to St. Patrick's Capital Campaign, 1420 Oak hill Ave, Youngstown, OH 44507. Bill's family would like to thank the residents and staff at The Inn at Ironwood who became his friends and extended family over the last two years and the staff of Hospice of the Valley who assisted with his care over his final days.