Thornton retires as Nevada Fire Chief

Recently retired Nevada Fire Department Chief William Thornton is presented a plaque for his nearly 27 years of service by interim City Manager Mark Mitchell, during Friday’s retirement party.

Matt Resnick | Daily Mail

After nearly 27 years of service with the city, and 35 overall, Nevada Fire Department Chief William Thornton recently announced his retirement.

A retirement party was held for Thornton at the fire station Friday afternoon. Among those honoring Thornton were state representative Patricia Pike, interim City Manager Mark Mitchell, and new Nevada Fire Chief Troy Denney.

Thornton began his career as an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Overbrook, Kansas — located 25 miles south of Topeka. Thornton then joined the Nevada Fire Department in May 1993, eventually ascending to chief.

"One of the reasons I got into the fire service was to help other people," Thornton told the Daily Mail. "I was a Boy Scout for many years, and the idea of being one is to help other people out. So for the past 35 years, I've helped a lot of people, and it's helped fulfill my life."

Thornton said he's helped save many lives over the years, but explained that almost all of those pertained to traffic accidents and not structure fires.

"If you talk about car wrecks, a lot of those were people clinging to life, and us having to do the extraction," he said.

An avid golfer, Thornton said he and his wife will soon be moving to Winterhaven, Florida, adding that he will pursue a job where can continue to be of service to others in the community.