Council Chairman

Stephen Thornton (Lion Becky)
720 W. Hutton Rd.
Wooster, OH 44691
H: (330) 345-8287
C: (330) 464-3927
E: CC Stephen Thornton

Immediate Past District Governor Steve Thornton grew up in a Lion’s town and in a Lion’s family. His stepfather was a Lion, as was his future father-in-law. The year he graduated from high school, Doylestown’s own, Dick Bryan, was International President. Many of the town’s leaders and business owners were Lions and friends, thus making a lasting impression.

Steve joined the Madisonburg Lions in 1980 at the invitation of Loran Alexander, a fellow law enforcement officer. He served as a director, vice president and two terms as president. He served two years as zone chairman and also served on the state’s youth and sight and hearing committees.

In 2004, he transferred to the Wooster Noon Lions, and has served as vice president and was president in the 2008-2009 year. He was elected as Deputy District Governor in 2007 and Vice District Governor in 2008. He has received a President’s Certificate of Appreciation and a President’s Certificate of Commendation. He also received a Council of Governor’s Award of Merit. He has attended three International Conventions and three USA-Canada Forum. He has received a Melvin Jones Fellowship and a James T Coffey Fellowship.

Steve began his law enforcement career in 1972 when he joined the Rittman Police Department. In 1973, he was hired by the Wooster Police Department. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1975, Lieutenant in 1992 and to Chief of Police in 1998. He retired in 2007 with 35 years of service.

Steve is a graduate of The University of Akron with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Education. In his retirement, he teaches part time at Drive team, a pursuit driving course. His hobbies include travel, biking and flying.

Steve has served as the Board Chairman for the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency. He served six years, two as chair, on the Board of Trustees for the Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties, on the board and past chair of the Wayne College Alumni Association, and was selected as the Wayne College Distinguished Alumni of the Year in 2009. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he plays in the hand bell choir. He is also the coordinator for the annual Tuba Christmas concert in Wooster.

He and Becky, also a Lion and a Melvin Jones Fellow, were married in 1975. Becky is a registered nurse and together they have three adult children and six grandchildren.