LESLIE RAYMOND THORNHILL
KANSAS
SHIPFITTER 1 CL.
U.S. NAVY
JUNE 3, 1942

Word was received Thursday that Bill Thornhill of Protection died Wednesday June 3, at the Naval Hospital at San Diego. He spent some time visiting in Protection last summer and will be remembered by older Protection residents. He graduated from the Protection schools and later served in the U. S. Navy for a number of years.

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Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 at the Baptist Church for Leslie R. (Bill) Thornhill, who passed away Wednesday night June 3 at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, Calif. Rev. H.J. Parker officiated at the service.

A mixed quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. San Frantz and Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Ashcraft, accompanied by Mrs. Lewis Hopkins, sang Three numbers, "Going Down the Valley," "Does Jesus care" and "Sweet Bye and Bye."

Pall bearers were Rea Morton, Atlee Edmonston, Merton Moore, Melvin Thornhill, Orville Thornhill and C. Carey.

Interment was made in the Protection cemetery.

Peacock Mortuary was in charge of arrangements for the services.

Mr. Thornhill was formerly a resident of Protection and is well known to many people here. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Thornhill.

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The Protection Post, June 1942.

Obituary

Leslie Raymond Thornhill, son of Mr.and Mrs. C.L. Thornhill was born at Marionville, Mo., May 22, 1905, and passed away June 3, 1942, in the Naval Hospital at San Diego, California.

At the age of 3 years he came to Kansas with his parents where he grew to young manhood, living in and around Protection until 1927. He united with the Baptist Church when he was 15 years old.

In 1927 he joined the United States Navy, serving three four-year terms, and starting his fourth when he became ill. After being in the hospital for 8 months, he was honorable discharged from active service because of disability to serve. He came home in June 1940 and stayed until July 1941, returning to San Diego where he resided until his death.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Thornhill; two brothers, Jack and Charles of Los Angeles, California; three sisters, Mrs. Charity Chappel of Phoenix, Arizona, Mrs. Christina Tucker of Coldwater, Kansas. Mrs. Mary Hooven of Protection and many other relatives and friends.

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Comanche County History, page 713: "Leslie (Bill) died while in the U.S. Navy in 1942 at the age of 36."

Leslie R. Thornhill was the son of Clarence Lorenzo Thornhill and Bertha Isabel (Hubbard) Thornhill, one of their seven children.

Leslie Raymond Thornhill's WWII Comanche County, Kansas, draft number was 389. -- Draft Numbers Assigned

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