Willard Ray Thorn

Willard Ray Thorn departed this life, Friday, Aug. 21, 2015 at his home in Greenbrier after a long fight with multiple health issues. He was born at Guy, Ark., the fourth son of Gerald Thorn and Bertha Hooten Thorn Loveless on April 23, 1938. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Olen "Hoot" Thorn, Randall "Till" Thorn; and one sister, Rhonda Ann Treadaway. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Kay Ann Thorn; one son, Mark Ray Thorn and wife, Shelly; two daughters, Lisa Darlene Halk and husband, Robin, Leslie Denise Brown; six grandchildren: Candice Halk, Kayla Brown Tubbs (Jimmy), Will Brown, Wes Brown, Cari Beth Halk Wilder (Caleb), and Madison Thorn; five great-grandchildren: Bryleigh Tubbs, Mayceigh Tubbs, Kaycen Wilson, Hatteigh Jo Tubbs, and Emma Brown; three stepgrandchildren: Christopher Halk (Jessica), Katie Chenoweth (Chad), and Kyle Brown; four stepgreat-grandchildren: Mariah, Brenly, Drake Halk and Madison Chenoweth; two sisters, Nana Kay Thorn Nichols (Wayne) and Ruby Gail Burroughs (Ken); two brothers, J.L "Missy" Thorn (Winnie) and Melvin "Pete" Thorn (Sandra); sister-in-law, Margaret Thorn; and brother-in-law, Buford Treadaway. Willard can best be described as a warrior and a fighter. He fought to live. He was born during the great depression, the fourth son in a family of eight children. Immediately after his birth, his mother became ill and was unable to care for him. Other family members fed him cow's milk just to get him to live. "He fought to survive". The family's home burned when he was three years old. He grew up in a partially rebuilt house. The family was so poor that he couldn't afford the 15 cents for lunch at school. While the other children ate their lunch, he played outside learning to run fast, move quickly, and how to fight anyone that would try to "make fun" of how poor he was. "He fought to achieve". In high school, he learned to love sports. He found that he could run faster, jump higher and think more quickly which helped him to excel in basketball, baseball, and track. He was the first "All State" basketball player from Guy-Perkins School. Willard was the first basketball player to develop and perform the one-handed jump shot at Guy-Perkins High School. "He fought to rise above." Willard worked at Virco Mfg. Company and in the construction of the electrical power construction towers that were built to criss cross the state in the 1950's and 1960's. He drove an 18 wheeler Wonder Bread Transport Truck for 28 years. He owned and operated Thorn's Exxon in Greenbrier in the 1970's. In the 1980's, he began raising beef cattle. He started with three shorthorn heifers that he bought for his children to show at the fair. He rented Mrs. Lorene Crump's farm in the early 1980's and built his herd to about 35 head. In 2009, he leased his deceased brother, Till Thorn's farm and bought one half of his herd and enjoyed working the farm until his health declined to a point that his son stepped in and worked the farm for his dad. Willard was a charter member of the Greenbrier Junior Chamber of commerce and served as its first vice-president. He served two terms on the Greenbrier City Council. He was Mayor of Greenbrier in 1987. He was mayor for only a short time but was very proud of the work he did to bring "good drinking water" from Greer's Ferry Lake by way of the community water system. He fought hard for the present system. "He fought illness." He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1998. He spent 50 days in Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock that year. He's endured many surgeries as a result of accidents and illnesses. Willard fought his final battle against prostate and bone cancer. Praise God, He gave Willard the final victory when he drew his final breath surrounded by his family. Willard was also a listener and a receiver. Parallel to his life as a warrior, he also listened and received many blessings. At the age of 17, he listened to the Holy Spirit's call as he sat under the preaching of Bro. Jurl Mitchell. After being convicted by many of his sermons, he asked Jesus to forgive his sins and save his soul. He went forward on a Sunday night, confessing his need of Jesus. He was saved and joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Willard was baptized in North Cadron Creek at Pinnacle Springs. He listened to his heart and married his high school sweetheart on Jan. 30, 1959 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. He received a mate for life. He listened to the first cries of his three children and received each of them into his arms and heart. He listened to and received much sweet joy watching and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. What a glorious and blessed life God gave him. We love you Willard, Daddy, and Papa. Visitation will be Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, 6-9 p.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Funeral service will be Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015 at 10 a.m. in Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Brother Tim Brewer officiating. Interment will follow in the Copperas Springs Cemetery under the direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Greenbrier, (501) 679-2575. Pallbearers will be Danny Thorn, Alan Carmichael, Travis Thorn, Todd Thorn, Brock Roberts, James Dickens, Timothy Dycus and Jason Burroughs. Serving as Honorary pallbearers are Steven Thorn, Ron Thorn, Robbie Thorn, Christopher Halk, William Brown, Wesley Brown, Kaycen Wilson, Jimmy Tubbs, Caleb Wilder, Robin Halk, and the members of Holland Masonic Lodge #158. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/greenbrier.