BILLY R. THOMAS
May 8, 1934-Nov. 4, 2015
Mr. Billy Ray Thomas, 81, resident of 412 Belann Court, Washington, went to be with his Lord and savior Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Vidant Inpatient Hospice.
A funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at Second Baptist Church in Washington. Burial will follow in Pamlico Memorial Gardens.
James Klapp, Billy Arnold, James Lewis, Jerry Van Essendelft, Kirk Blackman and Billy Braddy will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at Second Baptist Church.
Billy was born in Goldsboro, Wayne County, N.C., May 8, 1934 ,to the late John Haywood Thomas Sr. and Pauline Uzzell Thomas.
He was a graduate of New Hope School, where he played basketball.
Billy was also a graduate of Pitt County Community College.
June 10, 1966, he married Jean Hamilton. Billy and Jean were married for 49 1/2 years, and had begun planning their 50th anniversary.
He served in the United States Army from March 5, 1957, until March 13, 1959.
Billy retired from North Carolina Natural Gas as a district manager with 30 years of service.
He served as the president of the Optimist Club, the Band Boosters and the Washington Youth League.
After Billy retired, he and his wife, Jean, traveled throughout the states and to Japan, Canada and Alaska.
He enjoyed the NASCAR races, was a University of North Carolina fan and later became an avid reader.
Billy was deeply loved, and he will be greatly missed.
He always had a willing partner in his fishing, golf and gardening his grandson, Seth, who was always looking out for us.
Survivors include his wife, Jean H. Thomas; six children, Brad Thomas and wife, Jennifer, of Richlands, Jeff Thomas and wife, Debbie, of Goldsboro, Dona Morden and husband, Fred, of Holly, Mich., Cheryle Barnes and husband, Steve, of Williamston, Mark Thomas and wife, Tracy, of Goldsboro and Michael Thomas of Florida; grandchildren, Seth Barnes and fiancée, Kelly Phillips, Shawn Thomas, Zac Morden, Kaylee Limbert, Shane Thomas and Tiffany Phiserbeek; five great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Gladys Thomas, Sophie Thomas and Martha Thomas; a sister, Mae Sutton; and a brother, Joseph Donald Thomas.
In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert Thomas, Roland Thomas, Linwood Thomas and John Haywood Thomas Jr.
Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Marion L. Sheppard Cancer Center, general fund, 1209 Brown St., Washington, N.C., 27889, or Ascera Care Hospice, 502 Red Banks Road, suite B, Greenville, N.C., 27858.
Condolences may be made to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home and Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Thomas family.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 6, 2015 1:49 PM