Wilburn Price Thornton

Wilburn Price Thornton, 90, of Asheville, died peacefully at his son's home on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. A native of Burlington, NC, Mr. Thornton was the son of the late Benjamin Franklin Thornton and Virlar Cates Thornton Dillon. He was preceded in death by Frances Ward Thornton, to whom he spent 65 wonderful years of marriage. He joined the Navy in 1945 and was an Aviation Radioman. He graduated from High Point College, High Point, NC in 1950 with a BS degree in Business. Afterwards, while working at the Fli Back Corporation in High Point, he met Frances Ward, who also worked there. They wed in 1950. Wilburn and Frankie moved to Asheville in 1952 when he was transferred as an Office Manager with Henley Paper Company. He left Henley in 1967 and started work with Snyder Paper Corporation where he retired in 1992, after 42 years as a paper salesman. He attended Calvary Baptist Church and was a member of Earl West's Sunday school class. Wilburn and Frankie were extensive travelers, going to every US state, most of Europe, Scandinavia, China, Russia, Australia, Turkey, and Greece. A loving husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his children Lennie Thornton and wife Cindy, Asheville, Richard Thornton and Shirley Greene, Asheville, and Kim Thornton Bey and husband Arne, Sante Fe, NM. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Jackson Thornton and wife Becky, Will Thornton, Daniel and Jordan Leibman, Justin Thornton and Laurel Thornton. A Celebration of Mr. Thornton's life will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2016, in the Candler Center of Calvary Baptist Church with Reverend Jeff Hayes and Reverend Dr. Buddy Corbin officiating. A reception will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806, Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731, or MemoryCare, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting the family.