Mr. William Matthew Thornton Jr., of Leesburg, VA, passed away Friday Dec. 21, 2012. He was 87 years old.

William was born Oct. 16, 1925, in Boston, MA. He was a son of the late William M. Thornton and the late Marion Edith Smith Thornton. He served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was a veteran of WWII. William received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University in 1953 and was a Certified Professional Engineer. He was employed by IBM in East Fishkill, NY, for 28 years, before retiring in 1990.

Mr. Thornton was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Lorraine Hudson Thornton, in 2010. He is survived by his two beloved sons: William M. Thornton III and wife Jane, of Vienna, VA, and Charles G. Thornton, PhD, and wife Nina, of Damascus, MD; five grandchildren: Kim, Michelle, Leah, John and Annie; and many friends and relatives.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 44600 Russell Branch Parkway, in Ashburn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Parkway, #100, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

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