LANSING, Mich. — Nay Thornhill died over the weekend and was the senior at the Michigan House of Representatives as a postal service rep.
Nay was the brother of “Mad Dog” Charlie Thornhill and uncle of two other amazing football and NFL legends from Michigan State University Josh & Kaleb Thornhill.
Nay grew up in Virginia in a Racial Segregated system and later became a community supporter for those in need. He participated in many charitable golf outings including legislative golf outings.
As one Lansing resident, Xavier DeGroat shared: “Not many people in the community in Lansing impacted my mind as a person with autism as Nay Thornhill. Never was nor never will there be another man like him that was center to many lives in Michigan area.”
The below Obituary is from the Riley Funeral Home.
Mr. William (Nay) N. Thornhill, 69, of Lansing passed away July 21, 2019.
He was born January 21, 1950 in Roanoke, VA to the late Waverly Thornhill, Sr. and the Ella Thornhill. One of six siblings, Nay grew up in the Lincoln Terrace projects and graduated from Lucy Addison High School.
To be closer to his brother, Nay moved to Lansing and worked as a bartender at Coral Gables. Nay was the Postmaster of the State of Michigan House of Representatives. Nay enjoyed his job and his interactions with people.
An honest and kind man with a great sense of humor, Nay could be counted on to lift the spirits of all around him. Nay became an MSU fan when his brother, Charlie “Mad Dog” Thornhill played middle linebacker from 1964-66. Nay especially enjoyed watching MSU football when his nephews, Josh and Caleb Thornhill, played. His dream trip in 2014 was to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena where he watched his beloved Spartans win. Also, he enjoyed both playing and watching golf.
Nay was preceded in death by: his sister, Bertha George; his brothers, Waverly Thornhill, Jr. and Charles “Mad Dog” Thornhill.
Survivors include: his love of many years, Janet Weitzel of Mason, MI; his brother, Eugene A. Thornhill of Roanoke, VA; his sister, Louise T. (Harold) Hunt of Daleville, VA; nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rileyfuneralhome.com
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