Walter Bruce Thornton was born on September 26th, 1913 in Southmade, Texas to Walter and Willie Thornton. He passed away peacefully at a veterans hospital in Amarillo, Texas on February 8th, 2013. Bruce attended Austin College, earning a Mathematics Degree and a Master's from Texas Tech. He served in the Army Air Corp for four years and reenlisted in the United States Air Force during World War II from which he was honorably discharged. For 40 years his life was dedicated to education serving in several school districts throughout Texas. In various districts he served as an administrator, teacher and coach and retired from the Texas City Independent School District. Bruce and his wife, Loise, retired in the early 1980's and moved to Lubbock, Texas where they lived for over 20 years. Bruce was a man of principle who built his life on the foundation of God, family and his country.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Loise Thornton; daughter, Suzanne Spruiell (Tony Spruiell) of Oxford, MS and son, Jackson Thornton (Dixie Thornton) of Montgomery, TX.; four grandchildren Dixie Green, Jackee Kayser, Patrick Spruiell and Kristen MacAdams; and seven great grandchildren; Julia, Lindsay, Duncan, Jackson, Annabelle, Ainsley and Caitlin.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 17th from 3 to 5 p.m. at Forest Park Cemetery in The Woodlands, Texas. Services will be held on Monday, February 18th at 11 a.m. at the same location.
Memorials may be made to Operation Military Embrace (www.operationmilitaryembrace.com) or the charity of your choice.
