Willie Wintford Thornton, age 81 of Milwaukee, WI passed away March 22, 2022 at home. He was born July 27, 1941 in Nettleton, Mississippi at the beginning of World War ll. His family moved from the rural deep south during the Great Migration to work in Detroit's Ford and AMC automotive plants in the North. Willie was the son of Wallace Gordon Thornton and Edna Green. Willie's grandmother was Rachael Moon Moore of Tamm, Illinois and Baalom (Baylom) Thornton of Nettleton MS in Monroe County. He attended Northern High School in Detroit and tutored musician Smokey Robinson in Algebra. Willie also attended ITT Technical Institute. Willie worked as an aircraft support specialist and small engine mechanic. He worked for Ladish Foundry and the City of Milwaukee. He enjoyed walking, songwriting and spent his free time in retirement practicing mathematics. As a young man, he practiced Judo and Tae Kwon Do. He traveled to Lao, Vietnam, Japan, Philippines and Germany. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1968 during the Vietnam War. He also served in the US Army National Guard in the 1970s as a Non Commissioned Officer in Milwaukee, WI.
Survivors are his wife of over fifty years, Elaine (Shoulders) Thornton; son, Wintford Thornton and wife, Melissa T. (Bailey) Thornton; grandson, Robert W. Thornton, son Joseph W. Thornton; daughter Tracey K. (Thornton) Morrell and husband Gregory L. Morrell of Huntsville, Alabama, and granddaughter Carolynn Thornton, great granddaughter Malia A. James of Huntsville, Alabama, grandson Khalid Morrell; and numerous cousins, relatives and friends.
He was previously a Mason for Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, AF&FM, Milwaukee, WI.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, May 5th at 2:00 p.m. at Southern Wisconsin Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI.
Honorary pallbearer is Pernail Dorsey. Memorials may be made online at Hartson Funeral Home. Arrangements were by Hartson Funeral Home in Hales Corners, WI.