Charles Kenneth "Ken" Thornhill

Charles Kenneth “Ken” Thornhill, beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away on Oct. 30, 2026, at the age of 84. He was the son of Ella Mae and Buddy Thornhill who preceded him in death and a longtime member of the Wisner, La., community.

To those who knew him, Ken was a caring friend whose charismatic personality and genuine warmth and kindness naturally drew people to him. He was also an avid hunter and enjoyed scuba diving.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Robin Harriet Hammons Thornhill; his two children, Shaun Thornhill (Amy) and Liz Thornhill Worley (Jason); his grandchildren, Joshua Stephens, James Stephens, Leah Stephens Smith, Jonathon Stephens, Phillip Stephens, Jackson Worley, Elijah Thornhill, Charles Thomas Worley and Benjamin Thornhill; eight great-grandchildren; his sisters, Darrene Thornhill Miller and Roma Thornhill DiReinzo; and his beloved niece and nephews, Kristin Harper (Syd) , Kyle Harper (Crystal), John David DiReinzo and Nick DiReinzo (Jessica); and four great-grandnieces.

Ken was born in Memphis, Tenn., on August 9, 1942, with family ties in Franklin Parish. He attended Wisner High School, where he played football. Ken went on to attend Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, La., where he continued playing football and earned a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Physical Chemistry. Ken and Robin married in 1963. He later studied towards a doctorate at Louisiana State University in Baton Rogue, La.

In 1968, Ken served in Vietnam as a captain, commanding two engineering companies until 1969, earning a Bronze Star with a First Oak Leaf Cluster. Following his military service, he worked for OlinCraft Paper Company, conducting research in plastic manufacturing where he secured two patents.

Following the death of his father in 1972, Ken returned home to Wisner with Robin and Shaun to support his mother and sisters and began farming, building both a thriving business and a lasting legacy in his hometown until the Lord called him home.

Ken farmed for 47 years, establishing Thornhill Farms and raising several types of produce throughout his career, but focusing primarily on sweet potatoes. He was a key partner with the Louisiana State University Experiment Station in Chase, La., working on several sweet potato research projects and the development of farming machinery and systems. Over the course of his career, Ken developed two sweet potato harvesters and a sweet potato planter, helping create equipment for a crop and industry to which he devoted much of his life.

Ken was also deeply involved in agricultural and civic organizations throughout Louisiana. He served as president of the Franklin Parish Farm Bureau; Chairman of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Labor Committee for 15 years; he served as Chairman of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission from 1996 to 2004; Chairman of the Board for Franklin Academy; and co-founder of the South Bayou Macon Water System. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Leadership Institute in Arlington, Va., in support of a longtime college friend.

His contributions to agriculture and his community earned him numerous honors throughout his lifetime. He was named Mr. Yam by the Opelousas Yambilee in 1987 and King of the Yambilee in 1997. He also received a Distinguished Service Award from the United States Sweet Potato Council in 2019, from the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Labor Advisory Committee for 15 years of leadership in 2010, the Louisiana Sweet Potato Association in 2003, and from the North Louisiana Agri-Business Council in 2015. He was also named an Outstanding Conservation Farmer by the Northeast Soil and Water Conservation District

A devout Christian, Ken was a life-long member of First Baptist Church of Wisner serving as Bible study leader of the Paul Bible study for over 30 years. His faith, his love of God’s Word and the fellowship of his many Christian friends were a source of great joy throughout his life.

He passed away in the comfort of his home surrounded by his wife, close family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Wisner with Rev. Garrison Griffith officiating. Interment will follow at Oakley Cemetery. Visitation will be held the evening prior to the service from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Monday also at First Baptist Church of Wisner, all under the direction of Dennard First National Funeral Home Winnsboro

Pallbearers will be Stevie Stephens, Jackson Worley, Charles Thomas Worley, Elijah Thornhill, Benjamin Thornhill, Phillip Stephens, Kyle Harper, John David DiRienzo, Nickolas DiRienzo. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Paul Bible Study class of First Baptist Church of Wisner.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Baptist Church of Wisner.