James Billy Thornton

March 07, 1937 – February 03, 2019

Mr. James Billy Thornton age 81 of State Hwy 325 Blairsville passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday February 3, 2019 following an extended illness. Mr. Thornton was born on March 7, 1937 in Jonesboro, GA., the son of the late W.A. Thornton and the late Berta Jones Thornton. He had made his home in Blairsville for the past forty years. James was an avid NASCAR fan, a diehard GA Tech and Atlanta Falcons fan. He loved sitting on his back porch watching the cows and the view of the mountains. He was a very loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He cherished his whole family, they were his life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie Thornton in 1977 and also a grandson, Braxton Kuykendall in 2014. James was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving Mr. Thornton are one daughter and son in law, Sandra and Jimmy Hardin of Blairsville, two sons and daughters in law, James Don and Mary Thornton of Blairsville, Robert Eddie and Sheila Thornton of Blairsville, four grandchildren, Shanowa and Danny Kuykendall, Shana and Ethan Kuykendall, A.J. Thornton, Brittany Thornton, four great grandchildren, Lathan, Eli and Zoey Kuykendall, many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday February 6, 2019 at 11:00 am from the Mountain View Chapel with Rev. Randy Hughes officiating. Special music will be presented by Martha Davenport. The following gentleman will serve as pallbearers, Brian Davenport, Ricky Davenport, Mark Ramey, Michael Thomas, Jimmy Bell and Ronnie McDonald. Interment will follow in the Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery where he will rest next to his beloved wife Jackie. Flowers are accepted or if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to Regency Hospice or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of Mr. Thornton. The family will meet with friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-9:00 pm.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com