[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING BILLIE ERLINE THORNTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2004

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor a 
dedicated and successful woman from Van Alstyne, Texas--Billie Erline 
Thornton, who passed away on March 17, 2004.
  Billie was a successful businesswoman. After graduating from Anna 
High School and attending Draughn's Business College, she worked for 
the First National Bank in Dallas and the First National Bank in Anna. 
She finished her career as the manager of the Hurricane Creek Country 
Club, where she worked for nineteen years.
  While she was a dedicated businesswoman, she was also a devoted wife, 
mother, and grandmother. She was married to her husband, Bob Thornton, 
for fifty-eight years and she helped raise their three daughters. She 
is survived by her husband, her daughters and their husbands, Sheryl 
and Walt Priest of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Brenda and Wayne 
Baggett of Friendswood, Texas, and Linda and David Wood of Van Alstyne, 
Texas. She was also the proud grandmother of Brian Priest and his wife 
Amanda, Stewart Priest, Emily Baggett and her husband James, Trevor 
Wood, and Tyler Wood. She also had one great-grandchild, Gabriella 
Hess. Her son, Bryan Norwood Thornton, preceded her in death, as did 
her parents, Bernie Reed and Effie Smith Bryan, one sister, Jimmie 
Wolfenson, and one brother, Richard Bryan.
  Billie's warm smile and good heart will be missed throughout the 
community of Van Alstyne. On behalf of her family and friends, I want 
to take this opportunity in the House of Representatives to pay our 
last respects to this beloved woman--Billie Erline Thornton.

                          ____________________