Wayne L. Thornton, age 79, formerly of Bismarck, passed on to Heaven on Monday, April 22, 2024, at The Green House Cottages of Homewood in Mena, AR surrounded by his loved ones.  He was born January 23, 1945, in Long Beach, CA, the fifth of six children to Arlie and Inez Whitley Thornton.  Wayne was a meat cutter by trade and later the owner of Wayne's Corner Market.  When Wayne wasn't at his store, he was probably riding, training, showing or racing horses.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Gifford Thornton, two sisters, Wilma Wilson (Artemus) and Elouise "Ella" Porterfield, sisters-in-laws, Roberta Whitworth and Carolyn Thornton, Nephews, Kelly Porterfield and Chris Thornton, and one niece, Yuna Porterfield.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of sixty years, Rebecca "Becky" Lipke Thornton, daughter, Lori House (Brian), grandsons, Landon Stidman (Jaylee) and Truett House, great-granddaughter, Blakylie and baby Stidman due in September, two brothers, Lloyd Thornton (Judy) and Paul Thornton, brother-in-law, Charles Porterfield, sister-in-law, Marcille Thornton and many extended family members and friends.

Also cherishing his memory are special nieces and nephews who were like his own children, Sherri Arthur, Kristi Dulin, Brandon Whitworth, Brent Whitworth and Chad Thornton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday at the funeral home.

Interment will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery at Bismarck.

Pallbearers are Tyler Thornton, Ryan Thornton, Grant Thornton, Blake Thornton, Alex Thornton and Keith Thornton.

Honorary pallbearers are Scotty Williams, Gerald Harkrider, Brad Porterfield, Chris Dulin, Alan Thornton and Kevin Whitley.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kristen Sager, Tony Tackett, RN, and the staff of Genesis Cancer Center in Mena, The Green House Cottages of Homewood, Elite Home Health and Elite Hospice for the exceptional care Wayne received.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.  Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.