Mr. Brian Keith Thornton, age 68, entered into eternal rest on October 16, 2025, after battling in his flesh with cancer for two years. He triumphed in victory, receiving the fullness of his healing in the presence of God.

Brian was born in Steubenville, Ohio to Robert Lewis and Patricia Thornton. In his own words, Steubenville was a great place to grow up because of the safety and activities available. Even though they did not have much, he remembered his Christmases fondly and his mother ensuring he always dressed sharp. Brian (affectionately known as “Biney” or “Sly”) attended Steubenville Public Schools and graduated from Steubenville High School “Big Red” in 1975, then began his college career at Ohio University where he studied Psychology. During his studies there, he met the love of his life, Hiliary (Wimbley) Thornton. They were married in Cleveland, Ohio on December 19, 1977 and from their union, one daughter, Taysean was born.

Brian built his career in the Financial Industry and worked as a Sales Consultant the majority of that time. He advanced in the mortgage industry working as a broker at Fieldstone Mortgage, Columbia National, and was promoted to Manager of Bankruptcy and Loss Mitigation at Ryland Mortgage Company. He rounded out his career as a financial advisor, and retired from insurance sales having been recognized as Washington National’s #1 Salesperson in the U.S.

Hiliary was the love of his life, and they made beautiful memories together- traveling, cruising on Royal Carribean- simply doing life with each other. He loved fishing with Taysean and Se’Van, spending quality time with Dine’ and Anissa, and showering Kyro, Aninna and Ami’Yah with his love. Family truly meant everything to him. Brian was raised Baptist and always knew God, but over the past two years, he cultivated a closer relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and made sure to tell everyone about the goodness of God. He was an avid music lover who enjoyed jazz and R&B, with Earth, Wind & Fire, The Temptations and Boney James being some of his favorites. He also enjoyed drawing, playing poker, other card games and pool. He liked watching football and despite anyone else’s thoughts about it, cheered loud and proud for the Cowboys. The Browns did come a very close second though. Along with football he still enjoyed older television shows, such as “Sanford and Son” and “Good Times”. He was very socially aware and did all that he could to support his community and his culture in many ways including creating EbonyHorizons.com, an online black-owned business directory that he hoped would change the desire and ability to support black businesses and ultimately the financial landscape and freedom in our direct communities. Brian was extremely intelligent, and would gladly spend hours engaging with those around him about topics such as politics, social concerns and agendas, sports, finances, etc. Beyond all of these things, Brian was a good man that loved God and wanted to see others do well. He was a giver of himself and would forego his own wants and needs to be there for someone else.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Gynneane, and nephew DaRon. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife Hiliary; daughter Taysean; grandchildren Se’Van, Dine’, and Anissa; great-grandchildren Kyro, Aninna, and Ami’Yah; siblings Chauntal, Stacey (Charles), Leazaun (Eddie), Quent (Lori). In addition to a host of family and friends, he is also survived by a son, Brian Crawford and siblings Evelyn Suzanne Lewis-Byrd and Robert Patrick Lewis, Jr.