Obituary for Wilford Thornsbury
Wilford Thomas “Bo” Thornsbury, 66 years of age, formerly of Jamboree, KY, entered into his heavenly rest on the evening of Monday, March 9, 2020 at his beloved home in Sharps Chapel, TN surrounded by family and loved ones.
He was born April 21, 1953, in Pikeville, KY, the third son of the late Wayne (1929-2009) and Alma Thornsbury (1933-2001).
Tommy was a retired miner from Chisholm Coal Company having worked there his entire 28-year mining career, mostly as a shuttle car operator. Known as “Bo” to his family and friends, he was an avid NASCAR fan, had an extensive collection of taped NASCAR races and could be heard cheering on his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon, while watching the races he so loved. Bo was a muscle car enthusiast and after graduation from high school, he began painting cars and even tinkered with it on weekends after he started working at Chisholm. Several cars in the Phelps area sported a paint job by him during those years. Bo was always a kind-hearted person and was never the hunter that his daddy and brothers were because he couldn’t bring himself to kill any animal. He loved his dogs and they could always be found in his lap or on the back of his recliner when he was home. He was a very generous soul and would give someone the shirt from his back or the last penny he had if he thought they needed it. He didn’t like to see anyone in need and without a doubt, he did that many times over the years. After his mom died, Bo was able to retire and take his dad back to Sharps Chapel, where he and Terry took care of him so that his dad could live out the end of his life in the place he loved so much.
Bo was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He is survived by his sweetheart of 43 years, wife, Terry Green Thornsbury of Sharps Chapel, TN., and his children: daughter: Reshea (Willie) Wolford of Sharps Chapel, TN; son: Ricky Thomas (Sonya) Thornsbury of Jamboree, KY. Bo was dearly loved by his grandchildren: Chelsa (Jake Allen) Wolford, Alexis Thornsbury and step-grandchildren: Tyler Dotson, Tayton Ward, Erica Allen.
He also leaves behind his brothers: William (Bonnie) Thornsbury of Kimper, KY, Willard (Traci) Thornsbury of Pikeville, KY and: sister Darlene (Bob) Bowling of McCarr, KY; as well as several special first-cousins and a host of nieces, nephews and many friends to mourn his passing.
Bo recently gave his heart to the Lord and when he left his home here, he stepped into Heaven, where many of those he loved waited to welcome him home, especially his mom and dad.
Friends will be welcomed for visitation after 6:00 P.M. at the Jamboree Church of God on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13, 2020. Family will gather at 5:00 P.M.
A service will be held each night at 7:00.
The funeral will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 14 and Bo will be placed to rest near his parents and other family members at the Old Fields Cemetery in Argillite (Greenup County) KY.
Officiating clergymen are Pastors Larry Rife and Mitch Bowling.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Jones & West Funeral Home of Phelps, KY. The guestbook may be signed at www.joneswestfh.com
He was born April 21, 1953, in Pikeville, KY, the third son of the late Wayne (1929-2009) and Alma Thornsbury (1933-2001).
Tommy was a retired miner from Chisholm Coal Company having worked there his entire 28-year mining career, mostly as a shuttle car operator. Known as “Bo” to his family and friends, he was an avid NASCAR fan, had an extensive collection of taped NASCAR races and could be heard cheering on his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon, while watching the races he so loved. Bo was a muscle car enthusiast and after graduation from high school, he began painting cars and even tinkered with it on weekends after he started working at Chisholm. Several cars in the Phelps area sported a paint job by him during those years. Bo was always a kind-hearted person and was never the hunter that his daddy and brothers were because he couldn’t bring himself to kill any animal. He loved his dogs and they could always be found in his lap or on the back of his recliner when he was home. He was a very generous soul and would give someone the shirt from his back or the last penny he had if he thought they needed it. He didn’t like to see anyone in need and without a doubt, he did that many times over the years. After his mom died, Bo was able to retire and take his dad back to Sharps Chapel, where he and Terry took care of him so that his dad could live out the end of his life in the place he loved so much.
Bo was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He is survived by his sweetheart of 43 years, wife, Terry Green Thornsbury of Sharps Chapel, TN., and his children: daughter: Reshea (Willie) Wolford of Sharps Chapel, TN; son: Ricky Thomas (Sonya) Thornsbury of Jamboree, KY. Bo was dearly loved by his grandchildren: Chelsa (Jake Allen) Wolford, Alexis Thornsbury and step-grandchildren: Tyler Dotson, Tayton Ward, Erica Allen.
He also leaves behind his brothers: William (Bonnie) Thornsbury of Kimper, KY, Willard (Traci) Thornsbury of Pikeville, KY and: sister Darlene (Bob) Bowling of McCarr, KY; as well as several special first-cousins and a host of nieces, nephews and many friends to mourn his passing.
Bo recently gave his heart to the Lord and when he left his home here, he stepped into Heaven, where many of those he loved waited to welcome him home, especially his mom and dad.
Friends will be welcomed for visitation after 6:00 P.M. at the Jamboree Church of God on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13, 2020. Family will gather at 5:00 P.M.
A service will be held each night at 7:00.
The funeral will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 14 and Bo will be placed to rest near his parents and other family members at the Old Fields Cemetery in Argillite (Greenup County) KY.
Officiating clergymen are Pastors Larry Rife and Mitch Bowling.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Jones & West Funeral Home of Phelps, KY. The guestbook may be signed at www.joneswestfh.com