Pastor William J. Thurber Sr. of 86 Ridgewood Dr, Hartwell, died Monday, December 27 at Rainey Hospice House, Anderson SC.

Pastor Thurber was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 22, 1934, the son of James E. and Renata Thurber. He received his elementary education in Milwaukee Public Schools. In September of 1948 he began his studies for the ministry at Concordia Junior College, Milwaukee and completed his ministerial training at Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois graduating in 1959. He did his vicarage at Christ Lutheran Church in New York City. He was ordained June 21, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Guttenberg, Iowa. Serving churches in Beloit, Wisconsin; Indianapolis, Indiana; Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi and Hartwell, Georgia. He served as CPE Chaplain at Keesler AFB and VA Hospitals on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

In 1958 he was united in marriage with Maureen Koch. This marriage has been blessed with three children, William Jr., Ruth Pierce and Thomas Paul. Four granddaughters Allison, Jessica, Megan and Amy also survive.

The body will lie in state at Faith Lutheran Church, Hartwell, on Friday, December 30 between the hours of 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. with services beginning at 4 p.m. Internment will be at Nancy Hart Memorial Park. The family wishes for all memorials to be given to Faith Lutheran Church 691 Benson St. Hartwell, GA 30643.