Kenneth Ward Thornton

Thornton, Kenneth Ward – age 79 of Knoxville, TN went to his heavenly home on January 31, 2026. Ken was born in Union City, Tennessee in 1946 to Martha and Buford Thornton. He was known as a kind, hard-working, patient man with a beautiful smile and heart. He loved traveling with family and friends, cookouts at the lake, watching the Vols play or relaxing at the beach. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Concord and faithfully attended over the last 30 years. He served in the United States Army in the 1960s during the Vietnam War and rose to the rank of Captain. Ken graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1973 with a bachelors degree in Accounting. He also was a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Information Systems Auditor. He retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority Office of the Inspector General in 1999 after 26 years of service. During his time at TVA in the office of Audit and Office of the Inspector General, Ken was recognized as a leader and was sought out for his expertise by those that served with him. In 1987, he married the love of his life, Deborah. They were true partners in life and also in their successful rental business that they grew together. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Buford Thornton; daughter, Allison Jo Henningsen; and sister, JoAnn Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Deborah Meyers Thornton; daughters, Toni Lee (James) McGuiness of Arizona and Olivia JoLee Thornton of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren: Erin (Cole) McGuiness of Arizona; Nicole (Michael) Fonseca of Alcoa, TN; Nicholas (Tori) Henningsen of Knoxville, TN; Hailee (Ryan) Hunley of Knoxville, TN; Devin McGuiness of Arizona; and Thornton Henningsen of Knoxville, TN; and great grandchildren: Kensley Grace Henningsen and Cameron Fonseca of Alcoa, TN; Eli, Jackson and Peyton Henningsen of Knoxville, TN; and Kincaid Hunley of Knoxville, TN. He is also survived by sisters, Joy (Dwight) Grace of Union City, TN and Debbie (Bobby) Wheeles of Union City, TN as well as many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the following caregivers for their service and friendship during Ken’s illness: DeMilton Rocker, Jr., Shayanna Nelson, Julia Campbell, Nikki Maples, Kim Rocker, Laketa Gillespie, and Patricia Edwards. The compassionate and loving care they provided enabled Ken to be with us longer than expected. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel in Knoxville, TN. The funeral services will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Jason Hayes officiating. Burial will be on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11 am at Lynnhurst Cemetary in Knoxviile, TN. Pallbearers: Nicholas Henningsen, Thornton Henningsen, Ryan Hunley, Cooper Denton, Brian Matthews and DeMilton Rocker, Jr. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. East TN Office at 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 or through alztennessee.org. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Kenneth Ward Thornton

August 6, 1946 - January 31, 2026