Drowning victim’s body recovered

The body of a man who drowned in Lake LBJ near Sunrise Beach Village was recovered Wednesday after a two-day search.

The man was identified as 74-year-old William Thornton Jr. of Harlingen.

According to a statement released by Sunrise Beach Village Police Chief Laurie Brock, the Llano County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call at about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, about a missing swimmer.

The caller reporter Thornton had gone swimming from a boat on Lake LBJ and encountered trouble in the water. The victim went under the water and did not resurface.

Sunrise Beach Village police and fire personnel responded to the scene at end of Beach Drive, where a search began for Thornton.

Joining SBV were personnel from the LCSO, Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife game wardens, Lake Colorado River Authority rangers and firefighters from Kingsland and Buchanan departments.

Divers went into the water to attempt to locate Thornton, but the search had to be suspended at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A search and recovery began at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, as the above agencies were joined by the Texas Department of Public Safety search helicopter.

Thornton’s body was recovered at about 11:30 a.m.