William Mahler Thorp, 54, passed away Monday, July 15, 2013.
Mahler was born November 23, 1958 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He was the son of John Mercer Thorp and the late Cynthia Mahler Thorp. He was educated in the Rocky Mount schools and graduated summa cum laude from Atlantic Christian College. He met his bride, the former Lindsay Sloan, in Bogue Sound on a sandbar. This November they would have celebrated 30 years of marriage. They were blessed with a son, Will, who completed their family. They were an inseparable team that enjoyed all things Carolina and traveled extensively throughout the world.
Mahler loved Rocky Mount, his family and his friends and everyone he met. And that love was returned overwhelmingly. He was very active in Rocky Mount serving on the Rocky Mount Academy Board, the Nash Community College Board, the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Tar River Kiwanis Board. He participated in a "Day for Wesleyan", Nash Community College Foundation, North Eastern Entrepreneurs Roundtable, and The Carolina Gateway Partnership and Executive Committee. It gave him the greatest pleasure to be on the UNC Board of Visitors and the UNC Parents Council. He was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd and Benvenue Country Club.
He was the ultimate believer in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and one of their most devoted fans. In his 54 years of life he rarely missed a Carolina football, basketball, or baseball game. One of the happiest days of his life was when Will received his acceptance letter.
Mahler also lived to travel. We were able to travel as a family experiencing the world together. Whether it was the basket ladies in the market in Victoria Falls, or Jabu in Johannesburg, or Lek in Bangkok, he invested his heart and resources to help all of his friends.
He is survived by his wife, Lindsay and his son Will, Gaby, his English Labrador, his father, John Mercer Thorp and stepmother Rogie Thorp, sister Helen Thorp of Greensboro and brother John Thorp of Chapel Hill. His aunt, Elizabeth Havens of Greenville, his god parents Helen and Howard Haynes of Rocky Mount, and he was especially close to his nephews and nieces Sam and Nathan Thorp of Chapel Hill, Jonathan Havens of Weaverville, Powell Havens of Hampstead, and Cynthia Beaudoin of Greenville.
The family will be receiving Thursday, July 18, beginning at 5:00pm at the home. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 19 at 11:00am at the Church of the Good Shepherd and afterwards at Pineview Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers are Will's brothers of UNC's Zeta Psi fraternity.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the UNC Stallings-Evans Sports Medicine Center, Campus Box 8770, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
Whether you loved him as the Loan Arranger, Bill, Mr. Cash, Marlowe or the Chief, help us honor the greatest thing that ever happened to all of us all by…
TURNING IT BLUE!
Visitation
Location Not Available
Thursday 7/18, 5:00 pm
Service
Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
231 N. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Friday 7/19, 11:00 am
Cemetery
Pineview Cemetery
761 N. Raleigh Road
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Lindsay and Will, Barrett and I are thinking of you now. Mahler was the kindest man I’ve ever met. His passing leaves a huge void in so many lives in his family and communities he loved. As with many others, we are holding you close in our thoughts. Barrett and Kay Gunter
Our prayers are with you Lindsay, Will and John. We are truly saddened by the loss of this wonderful man. His smiling face was ever present at RMA’s sporting events, and we will miss him dearly. Bob Koszelak
I am so shocked and so deeply saddened. One of God’s blessings to me was to allow me to know Mahler and sit next to him at Tar Heel football games What a wonderful man. May Almighty God, whose peace passes all understanding, be with you and comfort you, his loving family, during stressful days of adjustment ahead. David Waters
Billy and I were so distressed by the horrible news yesterday. May you find peace and love from this community. May God embrace you and comfort you always. This family will be praying for you. Much love coming your way from the Suggs family.
John & family, I just got the news about Mahler and am shocked. Our prayer for you will be that the peace and comfort that only God can bring will surround you and sustain you in these days and the days to come. Rocky Mount lost one of its finest yesterday; he was a super fellow and will be missed greatly!! Ricky Overman
I am so sad for your loss and our loss. Mahler was a great guy and a wonderful friend. He will be truly missed. I am praying for your family. Jan Mullen
Lit a candle in memory of William Mahler Thorp
Lit a candle in memory of William Mahler Thorp
used to play basketball at the Thorpes on woodlawn, mahler was nice and was a gentleman, never put people down or make fun of of them, he was like a big kid at heart, no ego !! mike wordsworth
Lit a candle in memory of William Mahler Thorp
Lit a candle in memory of William Mahler Thorp
Lit a candle in memory of William Mahler Thorp
I am so saddened by the news about Mahler. I worked iwth Mahler many years ago and respected him greatly. What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Mahler was a good man and always a good friend. May God wrap his arms around your family at this time and help you with understanding and peace. Peggy Hayes
Lit a candle in memory of William Mahler Thorp
Joe and I are deeply saddened and shocked to hear about Mahler’s death. We send you not only our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy, but also our wishes for light and love as you seek to make sense of this loss and to find peace in your healing. Joe and Betsy Hester
Mahler was always kind, always smiled and is a forever TarHeel. He is gone way too soon and will be missed by many. My love to Lindsay & Will and all the Thorp family
Lindsey and Will, We are truly sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers for God to comfort you during this time. Craig, Paula, Bella and Ava Bowen ( 231 Bayview) Charles and Barbara Bowen
With Mahler’s love for travel, family and all things Carolina…life must have been full of joy and laughter. But today, Allan and I weep with you and share your sorrows. May God hold you closely to his heart. Our deepest sympathies to the Thorp family. Susan Barker
Mahler was always the center of fun, because he was so full of life. A life well lived. I worked on several fundraisers with Mahler for the Tar River Kiwanis Club. He was such a generous supporter of the club and of the Rocky Mount Community. His spirit will be truly missed. Russell Byrd
Mahler was truly a friend to everyone he met. I feel blessed to have known him. He always made you feel worthy. His smile showed what kind of person he was. He will be missed by all. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. God be with you. Susan Weaver
A friend to everyone he met all the time. If you ever needed something to brighten up your day all you needed is to run into Mahler and your day would be better. A great sportsman and a gentleman. Going to miss him at the UNC baseball games. RIP my friend.
In the midst of the bewilderment and sadness, may we be able to celebrate Mahler’s life. His legacy will ripple through generations to come. The seeds of kindness that he planted will grow strong. Know of our prayer for the entire Thorp family. May you discover Mahler whispering his love in the hidden recesses of your hearts. Edward, Ann and Sydney Newburn, Falls Church City, VA
Lit a candle in memory of William Mahler Thorp
Lit a candle in memory of William Mahler Thorp
Praying for your family during this tragic time. I used to wait on your family at Outback and you all were such sweet customers.
Love was the reason for the ransom sacrifice, showing the great love that Jehovah & Jesus had for all of mankind. (John 316) What a wonderful gift we have been giving, to have the hope of seeing our loved ones once again. Death is the age-old enemy, we all meet as our journey end. It is never pleasant, when we loss someone we love. The pain at times, is so heart breaking, that our tears, keep on flowing. (Ps. 3418) Even the perfect man, JESUS CHRIST, Gave way to tears. So greatly grieved was he over the death of his friend, Lazarous. (John 1135) Without fear the way ahead