William R. "Billy" Thomas' Obituary
Billy Thomas, a longtime resident of Gainesville Florida, stepped into heaven Monday March 18th in Bluffton South Carolina- at his home. He served his country in the Georgia National Guard, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and reached the pinnacle of his career as a Staff Sergeant. He was married to His wife Joy M. Thomas and would have celebrated his 65th anniversary but missed it by one day. He was blessed with two Sons- Scott Thomas of Jacksonville, Fl., and Pat Thomas (Amy) of Bluffton SC. Six grandchildren- multiple Great grandchildren. Billy was a member at Westside Baptist Church in Gainesville, and served in many ministries there, he traveled to Thailand to distribute Bibles, loved singing, he was an Ordained Deacon, helped with international ministry at Westside also……….
Billy, worked for Gainesville Regional Transit System and retired from there, he was never afraid of work- he loved playing softball, coaching little league baseball- way back when, he would often get caught- listening to a Atlanta Braves baseball, game,(via ear buds) while reading the sports page and watching Cosell- talking about football- and was able to keep it all straight….. so, he could meet with his friends at Hardees—for coffee and more sports talk.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 3:00 P. M., in the Chapel of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea, 823 NW 143rd St., Newberry, with his brother-in-law, Craig Boyer, officiating, interment will follow in Jonesville Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 22, 2024, from 5 to 7:00 P.M., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that any proceeds would be given to your local Hospice – in honor of their ministry to the Thomas family in these last weeks.
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