William Delbert Thornley, 70, passed away from complications due to brain cancer on Saturday, April 23, 2016. He was surrounded by his loving and devoted wife and their family at his home in North Salt Lake, Utah.
Will was born on July 13, 1945 in American Falls, Idaho, to Newell K. and Anna Mary Wraspir Thornley, but grew up in Aberdeen, Idaho, where he worked at the family bowling alley and spent many hours exploring the desert terrain. It was there that he met, fell in love with, and married Christine Worthington, his high school sweetheart, on April 2, 1971, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They are the parents of five sons.
Will graduated from Aberdeen High School, and went on to attend Idaho State University where he fulfilled his dream of obtaining a college degree with a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture. After graduating from ISU, he and his family moved to Logan, Utah, where he pursued a Master's degree in Planning and Design from Utah State University. He and his family remained in Logan for five years where he pursued another dream of his, to design and build homes. It was in 1977 when he and his family made their move to North Salt Lake, Utah, where he and his wife have enjoyed raising their children and serving in the community ever since.
Will had an innate artistic ability and an eye for detail that served him well in his profession as an architect, and as the family's carpenter, plumber, contractor and mechanic. Will enjoyed working in both the private and public sectors, but loved his work in the physical facilities department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from which he retired in September, 2015 after over 25 years of service. His responsibilities there included meetinghouse design support, project management, budgeting, contract administration, and dispute resolution.
As a stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Will strived to pattern his life after the Savior's. He served in the Southern States mission from 1969-1971 and held various church callings over the years, but he especially liked working with the youth and had a profound effect on the lives of so many of the peers of his own beloved children. Will served as the Bishop of the Orchard 13th ward for over 6 years, where he served with his trademark quiet kindness, humility and compassion. Will and his wife also loved their calling as service missionaries in the Foxboro 2nd ward, but nothing meant as much to him as being called to serve in the Bountiful Temple with his eternal mate Chris, where they served together for the last 12 years. Will was a man of immense spiritual stature who loved the gospel, cherished the scriptures and their teachings, and was a shining example of the true message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Will always cherished spending time with his family from their countless camping trips when the boys were young, to his involvement and service in the Boy Scouts, to their annual trips to Moab – which grew to be his favorite place. It was there that he was first nicknamed "Iron Will" after he and the boys watched the movie, because of his remarkable strength, integrity, character and leadership. Many lifelong friendships were developed and fostered on those trips, and many of the boys who joined the Thornley family still make the journey with their own families, carrying on the tradition. In his later years, Will loved hiking in the foothills, golfing with his boys, and playing at the park with his grandkids.
Will is survived by his sweetheart, Christine and five sons; Bret (Tami), Dustin, Micah (Mary Anne), Joseph, and Blake - all of which couldn't be more grateful to have experienced and learned from his loving example. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; Nick, Halie, Avery, Jace, Elli, Brianna, Tate, Titan, Charlie, Jonah, Reuben, and Kai.
Will was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Michael.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in the North Salt Lake, Utah Legacy Stake Center, 945 W. 1100 N., North Salt Lake. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, April 29 at Lindquist's Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. and from 9:30-10:30 am at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Lakeview Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to cancer research.
Will was born on July 13, 1945 in American Falls, Idaho, to Newell K. and Anna Mary Wraspir Thornley, but grew up in Aberdeen, Idaho, where he worked at the family bowling alley and spent many hours exploring the desert terrain. It was there that he met, fell in love with, and married Christine Worthington, his high school sweetheart, on April 2, 1971, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They are the parents of five sons.
Will graduated from Aberdeen High School, and went on to attend Idaho State University where he fulfilled his dream of obtaining a college degree with a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture. After graduating from ISU, he and his family moved to Logan, Utah, where he pursued a Master's degree in Planning and Design from Utah State University. He and his family remained in Logan for five years where he pursued another dream of his, to design and build homes. It was in 1977 when he and his family made their move to North Salt Lake, Utah, where he and his wife have enjoyed raising their children and serving in the community ever since.
Will had an innate artistic ability and an eye for detail that served him well in his profession as an architect, and as the family's carpenter, plumber, contractor and mechanic. Will enjoyed working in both the private and public sectors, but loved his work in the physical facilities department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from which he retired in September, 2015 after over 25 years of service. His responsibilities there included meetinghouse design support, project management, budgeting, contract administration, and dispute resolution.
As a stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Will strived to pattern his life after the Savior's. He served in the Southern States mission from 1969-1971 and held various church callings over the years, but he especially liked working with the youth and had a profound effect on the lives of so many of the peers of his own beloved children. Will served as the Bishop of the Orchard 13th ward for over 6 years, where he served with his trademark quiet kindness, humility and compassion. Will and his wife also loved their calling as service missionaries in the Foxboro 2nd ward, but nothing meant as much to him as being called to serve in the Bountiful Temple with his eternal mate Chris, where they served together for the last 12 years. Will was a man of immense spiritual stature who loved the gospel, cherished the scriptures and their teachings, and was a shining example of the true message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Will always cherished spending time with his family from their countless camping trips when the boys were young, to his involvement and service in the Boy Scouts, to their annual trips to Moab – which grew to be his favorite place. It was there that he was first nicknamed "Iron Will" after he and the boys watched the movie, because of his remarkable strength, integrity, character and leadership. Many lifelong friendships were developed and fostered on those trips, and many of the boys who joined the Thornley family still make the journey with their own families, carrying on the tradition. In his later years, Will loved hiking in the foothills, golfing with his boys, and playing at the park with his grandkids.
Will is survived by his sweetheart, Christine and five sons; Bret (Tami), Dustin, Micah (Mary Anne), Joseph, and Blake - all of which couldn't be more grateful to have experienced and learned from his loving example. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; Nick, Halie, Avery, Jace, Elli, Brianna, Tate, Titan, Charlie, Jonah, Reuben, and Kai.
Will was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Michael.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in the North Salt Lake, Utah Legacy Stake Center, 945 W. 1100 N., North Salt Lake. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, April 29 at Lindquist's Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. and from 9:30-10:30 am at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Lakeview Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to cancer research.
William Delbert Thornley, 70, passed away from complications due to brain cancer on Saturday, April 23, 2016. He was surrounded by his loving and devoted wife and their family at his home in North Salt Lake, Utah.
Will was born on July 13, 1945 in American Falls, Idaho, to Newell K. and Anna Mary Wraspir Thornley, but grew up in Aberdeen, Idaho, where he worked at the family bowling alley and spent many hours exploring the desert terrain. It was there that he met, fell in love with, and married Christine Worthington, his high school sweetheart, on April 2, 1971, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They are the parents of five sons.
Will graduated from Aberdeen High School, and went on to attend Idaho State University where he fulfilled his dream of obtaining a college degree with a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture. After graduating from ISU, he and his family moved to Logan, Utah, where he pursued a Master's degree in Planning and Design from Utah State University. He and his family remained in Logan for five years where he pursued another dream of his, to design and build homes. It was in 1977 when he and his family made their move to North Salt Lake, Utah, where he and his wife have enjoyed raising their children and serving in the community ever since.
Will had an innate artistic ability and an eye for detail that served him well in his profession as an architect, and as the family's carpenter, plumber, contractor and mechanic. Will enjoyed working in both the private and public sectors, but loved his work in the physical facilities department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from which he retired in September, 2015 after over 25 years of service. His responsibilities there included meetinghouse design support, project management, budgeting, contract administration, and dispute resolution.
As a stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Will strived to pattern his life after the Savior's. He served in the Southern States mission from 1969-1971 and held various church callings over the years, but he especially liked working with the youth and had a profound effect on the lives of so many of the peers of his own beloved children. Will served as the Bishop of the Orchard 13th ward for over 6 years, where he served with his trademark quiet kindness, humility and compassion. Will and his wife also loved their calling as service missionaries in the Foxboro 2nd ward, but nothing meant as much to him as being called to serve in the Bountiful Temple with his eternal mate Chris, where they served together for the last 12 years. Will was a man of immense spiritual stature who loved the gospel, cherished the scriptures and their teachings, and was a shining example of the true message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Will always cherished spending time with his family from their countless camping trips when the boys were young, to his involvement and service in the Boy Scouts, to their annual trips to Moab – which grew to be his favorite place. It was there that he was first nicknamed "Iron Will" after he and the boys watched the movie, because of his remarkable strength, integrity, character and leadership. Many lifelong friendships were developed and fostered on those trips, and many of the boys who joined the Thornley family still make the journey with their own families, carrying on the tradition. In his later years, Will loved hiking in the foothills, golfing with his boys, and playing at the park with his grandkids.
Will is survived by his sweetheart, Christine and five sons; Bret (Tami), Dustin, Micah (Mary Anne), Joseph, and Blake - all of which couldn't be more grateful to have experienced and learned from his loving example. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; Nick, Halie, Avery, Jace, Elli, Brianna, Tate, Titan, Charlie, Jonah, Reuben, and Kai.
Will was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Michael.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in the North Salt Lake, Utah Legacy Stake Center, 945 W. 1100 N., North Salt Lake. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, April 29 at Lindquist's Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. and from 9:30-10:30 am at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Lakeview Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to cancer research.
Will was born on July 13, 1945 in American Falls, Idaho, to Newell K. and Anna Mary Wraspir Thornley, but grew up in Aberdeen, Idaho, where he worked at the family bowling alley and spent many hours exploring the desert terrain. It was there that he met, fell in love with, and married Christine Worthington, his high school sweetheart, on April 2, 1971, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They are the parents of five sons.
Will graduated from Aberdeen High School, and went on to attend Idaho State University where he fulfilled his dream of obtaining a college degree with a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture. After graduating from ISU, he and his family moved to Logan, Utah, where he pursued a Master's degree in Planning and Design from Utah State University. He and his family remained in Logan for five years where he pursued another dream of his, to design and build homes. It was in 1977 when he and his family made their move to North Salt Lake, Utah, where he and his wife have enjoyed raising their children and serving in the community ever since.
Will had an innate artistic ability and an eye for detail that served him well in his profession as an architect, and as the family's carpenter, plumber, contractor and mechanic. Will enjoyed working in both the private and public sectors, but loved his work in the physical facilities department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from which he retired in September, 2015 after over 25 years of service. His responsibilities there included meetinghouse design support, project management, budgeting, contract administration, and dispute resolution.
As a stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Will strived to pattern his life after the Savior's. He served in the Southern States mission from 1969-1971 and held various church callings over the years, but he especially liked working with the youth and had a profound effect on the lives of so many of the peers of his own beloved children. Will served as the Bishop of the Orchard 13th ward for over 6 years, where he served with his trademark quiet kindness, humility and compassion. Will and his wife also loved their calling as service missionaries in the Foxboro 2nd ward, but nothing meant as much to him as being called to serve in the Bountiful Temple with his eternal mate Chris, where they served together for the last 12 years. Will was a man of immense spiritual stature who loved the gospel, cherished the scriptures and their teachings, and was a shining example of the true message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Will always cherished spending time with his family from their countless camping trips when the boys were young, to his involvement and service in the Boy Scouts, to their annual trips to Moab – which grew to be his favorite place. It was there that he was first nicknamed "Iron Will" after he and the boys watched the movie, because of his remarkable strength, integrity, character and leadership. Many lifelong friendships were developed and fostered on those trips, and many of the boys who joined the Thornley family still make the journey with their own families, carrying on the tradition. In his later years, Will loved hiking in the foothills, golfing with his boys, and playing at the park with his grandkids.
Will is survived by his sweetheart, Christine and five sons; Bret (Tami), Dustin, Micah (Mary Anne), Joseph, and Blake - all of which couldn't be more grateful to have experienced and learned from his loving example. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; Nick, Halie, Avery, Jace, Elli, Brianna, Tate, Titan, Charlie, Jonah, Reuben, and Kai.
Will was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Michael.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in the North Salt Lake, Utah Legacy Stake Center, 945 W. 1100 N., North Salt Lake. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, April 29 at Lindquist's Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. and from 9:30-10:30 am at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Lakeview Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to cancer research.
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