William Thornton

William R. "Rick" Thornton William R. "Rick" Thornton, 54, of Chillicothe, died 1:04 pm Friday, January 27, 2006 in the Adena Regional Medical Center, unexpectedly. He was born July 23, 1951 in Columbus to John E. Thornton Sr. and Martha Jane Hines. On February 20, 1981 he married Kathy I. Elliott, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Raven Martinez and Cookie Thornton, both of Columbus; a brother, John E. (Sharon) Thornton Jr., of Groveport; a sister, Mary (Butch) Schwamberger, of Columbus; a brother-in-law, Harry Elliott, of Chillicothe; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Doug and Rose Medlin. Rick was anxiously awaiting the birth of his first granddaughter, Julia Rose. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister and brother-in-law, Verna and Harold McClure. Rick was a dispatcher with the Ross County Sheriff's Department, with fifteen years of service. He was a former radio announcer, (Ross Franklin), with B-94 FM radio. He was a 1969 graduate of Mifflin High School, a member of the Ohio State Sheriff's Association and the Fraternal Order of Police. He attended the First Wesleyan Church. He was an exceptionally loving husband and exemplary father. He will be greatly missed by all. Funeral services will be held 1:00 pm Tuesday in the Haller Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Londonderry Cemetery. Friends may call 5-8 pm Monday at Haller's. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ross Co. Sheriff's Dept., Shop with a Cop Program, 28 N. Paint St., Chillicothe, OH 45601.