Erwin Thornton

Erwin C. Thornton, 86, of Spartanburg, SC passed away Sunday, April 12, 2015. A devoted family man, he was the husband of Joyce Caldwell Thornton of 61 years. Born in Lockhart, SC on September 24, 1928, he was the son of the late Charles Clough Thornton and Elsie Collins Thornton Upchurch. He graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1945 and from Clemson University in 1949 as a distinguished military student with a degree in Chemistry. He remained a lifelong member of the American Chemical Society and was a longtime supporter of the Clemson IPTAY Association. Mr. Thornton served in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant during the Korean War. He retired in 1996 from Synalloy Corp as an executive after 45 years of service. He was a member of Southside Baptist Church since 1943. Also survived by a daughter, Anne T. Watson of Greenville, SC; son Charles E. (Tammy) Thornton, of Spartanburg, SC; grandchildren, David (Bonnie) Watson, Mark (Bridgette) Watson, Kristen (Kelly) Crawford, Halie (Michael) Nicol; seven great-grandchildren, Troy and Jeslyn Watson, Elizabeth and Collin Watson, Kaitlynn and Matthew Crawford, and Mason Nicol. He was predeceased by a daughter, Carole Lynn Thornton; grandson, Joshua Keith Crawford; sister, Mary Helen Stone; and a brother, Charles C. Thornton. Visitation will be 9:30-10:45 AM Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Southside Baptist Church, 316 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Dr. Schuyler Peterson officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church, 316 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Erwin C. Thornton please visit our Sympathy Store.