William McWhorter "Mac" Thornton, Jr.

William McWhorter "Mac" Thornton, Jr. of Elberton, GA passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026, and is now with his lord and savior Jesus Christ. Mac was born at the Thompson-Johnson Hospital in Elberton on August 9, 1946, and was 79 years old.

He was the son of William McWhorter Thornton Sr. and Lucy Johnson Thornton, the husband of 52 years of Deborah Christine Williford Thornton, and father of Chrissie Thornton. His son, Dave Thornton, predeceased him in 2025.

Mac was beloved by family and friends for his kind heart, sense of humor, and desire to serve others. He excelled in education, business, church, civic duties, and sports, but his greatest accomplishment was his faithfulness and steadfast devotion to his family and friends.

He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in business administration in 1969 and a master’s degree in distributive education in 1973. He began his career as distributive education teacher at Elbert County High School where he was named Outstanding Young Educator.

He entered the granite sales business and enjoyed a successful career with a number of companies including Comolli Granite, L & M Granite which he owned, and Granite Resources. He developed close relationships with many of his clients.

Mac gave himself to his community with great dedication for decades. He served as Sunday School director and deacon at Elberton First Baptist Church, member of both the Elbert County Board of Commissioners and Elberton City Council, president of the Kiwanis and Jaycees, and Easter Seals chairman.

He was a great athlete and played two years of baseball for Gordon Military College, won many trophies in tennis, coached both his children in baseball and softball, and umpired for almost 40 years in little league, major league, senior league, and softball.

Mac’s impact on his community and his legacy is far-reaching. He was loved by so many people and will be missed and remembered forever.

A time of receiving of friends will be held on Tuesday, March 3, from 1:00p.m. until 2:00p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church of Elberton. The guestbook may be signed at the funeral home. Burial will be privately in the Thornton Family Lot of Elberton's Historic Elmhurst Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in his memory to the youth ministry of Elberton First Baptist Church, 132 Heard Street, Elberton, GA 30635.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home and Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for William McWhorter "Mac" Thornton, Jr.