William Francis Thorne

William Francis Thorne passed away on January 18, 2025, after a long illness. He was born July 8, 1943, in Philadelphia, PA, to Dorothy Rees and Francis Scott. He attended Drexel University on a mathematics scholarship and later went to Bloomsburg State University.

His early career included jobs at AT&T and in food service and facilities maintenance management. Following his dream of owning his own business, he and his wife Becky developed and operated a number of successful local businesses: Service Personnel of Western PA, Sportscrafters, TD Construction and Home Health Services by The Thorne Group, which provided in-home services to hundreds of senior citizens in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties for 22 years. He also owned and managed residential rental units.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his great friend Bill McGrath, and his pet and constant companion Jenny. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Becky; brother, Gregory Thorne (Nancy); and children, Sean Thorne (Makiko), Christopher Thorne (Cecily), Andrea Puluka (Gregg), Emily Pyser (Steve), Amy Zampi (Jeff) and Jillian Startare (Eric). He was “Pop” to grandchildren, Caroline and Will Thorne, Jack, Julia and Jillian Puluka, Miya Thorne, Sam, Becca and Henry Pyser, Ben, Emma and Maggie Zampi, and Jake, Alex, John and Mia Startare.

Reading history books and visiting historical sites fed his life-long interest in history, with Williamsburg, VA, as one of his favorite places to visit. As a younger man, he loved to ski and played but hated golf. He was a perennial optimist with a great sense of humor and the ability to talk to anyone, and he made friends wherever he went. Family and friends bore the brunt of his jokes and favorite sayings and eventually named him the “king of corn”.

Even as he declined, he entertained the staff at Redstone with wry comments. As an active member of the Rotary for years, he served as president and also served on the Greensburg-Hempfield Library Board, the Westmoreland County Community College Foundation Board and was a member of SCORE. He enjoyed belonging to the Polo Club and had many friends there. As president of the Lindwood POA, he was responsible for lining Bothwell Road with beautiful new maple trees, thriving now as a living memorial to his efforts. 

Honoring William’s wishes, there will be no public visitation.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at 9:30 AM Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, 300 N. Main St., Greensburg.  Please go directly to the church.  Private interment in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.  Special thanks to his kind and dedicated aides at Redstone – the Ashleys, Crystal, Lisa, Megan, Kelly and Steve. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greensburg-Hempfield Library.  LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 516 Stanton Street, Greensburg is assisting with arrangements.  www.bachafh.com

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