Name: Peacock, Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service
Address: Southport, NC

St. James firefighters always  worked as a team on call or on the golf course. 
Buzz, Scott, Rich and Mike

The Thorntons and the Palmers smiling after a victorious finish in the Irwin Cup.

I met Buzz, Knobby, Danny and Ray in the 7th grade and we became good friends. Over the years that friendship has grown and grown regardless of the amount of time we see each other. We have developed this special bond that I feel but can't explain.
I'm not quite sure why Buzz would have us as friends anyway, he was smarter, more athletic and better looking............On second thought scratch the better looking, we were all ugly.
 Barbara, I feel so blessed to have had Buzz as a friend. Because of his friendship I have had a better life.

I always considered Buzzy as the third brother in the Gilkes family.  From day one, Buzz was “One of the boys.”   
We camped together (all four Gilkes’  with spouses, children, and dogs)on the islands of Lake George… until one one day we all took a boat trip and left  the Thornton dogs… Flopsy and Mopsy… zipped into a tent.  When we returned, they greeted us (lots of barking )at the dock, and the tent was ripped open.  Later on, the Park Ranger stopped by and informed us that the dogs had been barking the entire time we were gone, and they had received several complaints from campers on nearby islands.  From that time on, dogs are not permitted on Lake George campsites… the “Flopsy Mopsy Rule”.

What do you call a man with whom you could laugh and share sorrows?  A man who was always willing to lend a hand. A man whose company was always a good time.  You call that man a cherished friend and that friend was Buzzy. Buzzy, you leave a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.  Rest in peace. 
With sincere condolences to Barbara, Andy, Tim and family.

To Barbara and family:

I always enjoyed playing golf and being with Buzz. He was always a gentleman and a true pleasure to be with. One of a kind for certain and will be missed by all. Rest in peace our friend.

Love Elaine and Bob

It’s difficult to put into words a friendship of 55+ years. We were all friends at URI, but became even closer as years went by, spending Thanksgivings together in South Port, golfing & enjoying time together. Buzzy was an easy-going, guy with a contagious laugh & warm smile. He was such a fighter when he learned of his cancer diagnosis. He will be missed . Rest in Peace, dear friend!
Jean & Dave Muehlen

It is with heavy hearts that Nancy and I mourn the loss of the wonderful individual that Buzzy was.  As others have said before - upon meeting him for the first time - it quickly became clear that he was a quality human being.  Humble, generous, intelligent, great sense of humor, salt of the earth - the list goes on and on.  

We have many great memories of the times and events we shared with him and Barbara - raising our kids together, building playgrounds, celebrating dinners, and enjoying golf.   One special memory in particular was paying a visit to St. James with the Gavins and Whitfields and enjoying a dinner at Fishy Fishy in Southport.

I did not have any brothers but if I had the luxury of choosing one Buzz would be at the top of the list.  

Have strength in knowing the impact that he had on everyone he met.  He will forever be missed.

Paul and Nancy Primiano

My very deepest condolences to Barbara and all the family. I had the pleasure of working with Buzz briefly at the Allendale Home Office in RI and later at the Montreal Regional Office in Canada. He was always such a pleasure to work with. We pretty much lost touch after he tranferred back to the States except for birthday greetings and the rare occasion. 
RIP in the arms of the angels, Buzz.

Buzz, enjoy what all the heavens can bring 

Peace, happiness, no pain and fantastic foods of RI
❤️🙏

Dear Barbara and Family,
Claire and I were so sorry to hear of Buzz's passing. He fought so long and hard but God felt it was time to give him peace and rest. My wife came from Rhode Island and I had already moved to NC when we met Buzz. Buzz would say that he could hit a " 9 " iron from your home in RI to Claire's home on Wethersfield Drive. Buzz was a great guy, so nice and easy going unless a dollar was at stake on the golf course. He was determined in a good competitive way!
May God watch over your family and give you peace.
Jim Riviello and Claire Mcdonald

Barbara, Andy, and Tim…. words cannot possibly express the sadness in my heart for you all, with the passing of Buzz… he was one of my very closest friends for life,  starting with our days in “the Mu”,…and he made me happier just being with him, wherever we four happened to be ….”Babbs” and NancyPants, Buzz, and me, “that quiet guy with his sense of humor” was so special !…the laughter was genuine, the jokes and fun were clean, and everyone admired this good man , who never spoke a bad word about anyone…..ever !
    Rest in Peace my good friend, you will be in my prayers forever !        Nooch

Our hearts are broken to lose Buzzy.  Our condolences to Barbara, Andy and Tim.  We were blessed to call him friend and spend wonderful times together. He will be in our hearts and prayers.
Love,
Nancy DeNuccio

This beat up old fire helmet belonged to William Alfred Thornton, Buzzy’s grandfather and namesake. When Buzzy recently worked as a volunteer fireman, I could hear joy in his voice that I will cherish.
Few can render much earlier memories of Buzzy, he was my big brother. Buzzy bought me my first Big Mac while he was in college (which back in the sixties was a big deal). Buzzy took me to the go-cart track next to Greene State Airport repeatedly, until I was tall enough to ride. I thanked him by spending the whole ride trying to run him off the track. My big brother set examples for all six kids in our family. My big brother beat cancer in my eyes by walking straight though it, never changing his routine habits or hobbies (golf) except to treat and always on referring to it as “my cross to bear”. Whenever I would to check on him praying his illness hadn’t progressed he’d cut me short because he was either on the golf course or visiting his children and grandchildren in Maine, Pennsylvania and now the other end of North Carolina. My heart would swell with joy how little cancer slowed my big brother. Buzzy’s sense of humor was amazing. I’ve outgrown the bitterness that he cut his teeth in humor in the early days on his younger brother! Buzzy’s success in life was the greatest source of pride of our mother. I came to dread the words from my mother “Why can’t you be more like Buzzy”. I couldn’t think of any better blessing in the world right now, than to be like “My big brother”.

I enjoyed working with Buzz when our paths crossed at work.  Condolences to his family and friends.

Peace my friend and to Barbara and the family may I extend  my deepest condolences. 

Neil Finn

My Condolences and prayers to the family. I had the blessing of working with Buzz and meeting the family back in Allendale days in Norwood. What a gentleman, a big hearted caring man! And just an absolute joy of a person always smiling and happy. I'm blessed we crossed paths and am sorry we lost touch. 
God Bless we lost a good one but our heaven will gladly welcome such a man. 
Brett

I’m broken hearted. Buzz was like a brother to me when we worked together. I have so many memories and actually saved a few of the text exchanges we had together - one being when he and Barbara were heading to Yellowstone to celebrate their 50th anniversary. 

Buzz was a class act. He was more than just being a manager. He was my friend and adopted brother. 

RIP Buzz and my condolences to his wife Barbara and sons - Andy and Tim.

Please join us in a Celebration of Buzz’s Life on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at The Members Club of St. James, Southport, NC  from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, all are welcome; or on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at the Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown, RI from 2:00 to 6:00 pm, all are welcome. 

OBITUARY

William "Buzz" A. Thornton III

October 7, 1948 – November 7, 2024

Peacock, Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service

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