Bill Throneburg, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 27th. Bill was born in Maiden, North Carolina, to Ruey O. Murray and Yates F. Throneburg, and was preceded in death by his parents, brother James and wife Beverly.
Always an avid student, Bill anticipated his WWII service by completing a certificate program at North Carolina State University in Chemical Engineering. He entered the U.S. Army in 1944 and was discharged as a Technical Sergeant in the Chemical Corps, having served in the Okinawa campaign.
Before and during his years as an engineering student at NC State, Bill was a notable presence in the minor league/VFW local teams as a scrappy infielder. His meager earnings, and the GI Bill, paid his college tuition. A passionate man of the Wolfpack, Bill had an ongoing, good-natured feud with Uncle Webb and brother James about the relative merits of the Duke Blue Devils.
Bill joined Hercules Inc. and met the love of his life, Beverly Bowles, when they both worked at Radford Arsenal. They married in 1952 and celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on August 9, 2014.
Bill's career with Hercules took the family to Kingston, N.Y. (occasional ball games with workmates at the Polo Grounds, Ebbets Field and Yankee Stadium) ‚ then to Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) in Cumberland, Maryland. A final transfer to Bacchus Works in 1961 brought the family to Salt Lake City.
His early work as a ballistics/process engineer with propellants ensured a successful transition to the U.S Navy Polaris, Poseidon and Trident programs. Bill worked for many years as Navy Programs Manager, concluding his Hercules career as Safety/Quality Director. One of his yearly highlights was time spent with the old ABL gang. Always approachable, fair-minded and thoughtful, Bill had the enduring respect of all.
No greater Jazz (or Utes) fan could be found, and Bill and wife Bev's support was well-known.
The family cabin in Midway was as much a home as their Holladay residence. Bill took pride in the hands-on work he dedicated to the cabin's construction. Friends and family were always invited for visiting, fishing, bridge games, sleep-overs and barbeques.
Bill is survived by son William (Peg), daughter Patricia, and granddaughters Katherine and Keelia. The family would especially like to thank the entire staff of Sunrise at Sandy for the devotion and care shown for Bill and Bev throughout their nine-year stay. Also, thanks to Brighton Hospice, HealthSouth Hospital and Intermountain Medical Center for their critically needed care.
A memorial celebration of Bill's life will be held Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Holladay United Church of Christ, 2631 East Murray Holladay Road, Holladay, UT 84117. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Utah (855 East 4800 South, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, UT 84107), or Holladay United Church of Christ.
