William Palmer ''Speedy'' Thornton, 48, of Gaston died Thursday, October 27, 2011 at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

Speedy was the son of the late Reubin Perdie Thornton.

He is survived by his mother, Lottie Bradford Thornton of Gaston; his two sisters, Carol Cooper of Gaston and Bridget Byrum and her husband, Steve, of Rocky Mount; his two brothers, Duane Thornton and his wife, Carolyn, of Catlett, VA and Wade Thornton and his wife, Jan, of Gaston; and his nieces and nephews, Dodi Tolbert, Tracy Olesnevich, Lisa Floyd, Kelly Thornton, Dana Thornton, Bobbie Rae, Wade Bryan Thornton, Jessica Thornton, Amanda Thornton, Marcus Thornton, Karri Hodges and Daryl Muaary.

Askew Funeral & Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids is handling the arrangements, where the family will receive friends on Saturday, October 29 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 30, at 2 p.m. at First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Roanoke Rapids with Rev. D. A. Leonard and Rev. Randy Martin officiating.

Interment will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids.