George William Thorsby

George William "Bill" Thorsby age 82, died Wednesday evening, February 5, 2009 in San Antonio. He was born August 28, 1926 in Saginaw, Mich., he graduated from St. Charles High School, earned his chemistry degree from the University of Michigan and an advanced degree from the Harvard School of Business. He served in the 33rd and 25th Infantry Divisions in the Pacific Theatre for the US Army during World War II. Upon graduation, he worked for Firestone Tire in Argentina, New Zealand and Portugal, and returned to the U.S. to work for Firestone in Akron, Ohio and Decatur, Ill. He was then Vice President of Pennsylvania Tire in Tupelo, Miss., and concluded his career as plant manager for General Tire in Waco, Texas and in Mayfield, Ky. He retired to San Antonio in 1984. He was a member of the Harvard Alumni Association, University of Michigan Alumni Association, American Chemical Society, Mayor's International Relations Council of San Antonio and a past governor of Rotary International. He also served as chair of the Labor Management Committee of Western Kentucky, the Chamber of Commerce of Western Kentucky, the United Way, the Four Rivers Boy Scouts and the Baylor-Waco Foundation. He was a Mason for life and his passion for music inspired him as lead trumpet for the Beethoven Concert Band, the Shrine Band and numerous other musical groups in San Antonio. He is survived by his wife Mary Lee; his three daughters Linda Bynum of Ridgeland, Miss., Susan Bowman of Santa Fe, N.M. and Mary Thorsby of Paducah, Ky.; one son Bill Thorsby of Louisville, Ky.; one daughter-in-law Kay Thorsby; two sons-in-law Thad Bowman and Bruce Brockenborough; and four grandchildren Sarah Bynum, Hobie Bowman, Matthew Bowman and Katie Thorsby; and his sister Nancy Novak of Richmond, Mich.

The Rev. Eric D. Fenton officiating. Interment will be at All Hallows Church Cemetery in Birdsville, Maryland at a later date.