Willie E. 'Bill' Thomas

Bill Thomas 82, of Vidor went to be with the Lord on June 14, 2010, in Beaumont, TX. He was born April 10, 1928 in Gist, TX to Henry O and Zadie Peveto Thomas. He was the 6th child born from this union.He worked for a number of years for Modern Incorporated in Beaumont, TX., and later was the City of Beaumonts Blacksmith, where he worked until his retirement.He proudly served in the United States Army, spending a tour of duty of 18 months in Okinawa, during the Korean Conflict.He loved his grandchildren, enjoyed traveling, gardening, fishing, and was an avid hunter. He spent many years of his spare time working his cows with his brother, Pistol. On many Saturdays, it was a common sight to see the two of them and their dogs, riding their horses out across the fields to herd the cows so they could be vaccinated, branded and culled as needed.He was an active member of Pine Forest Baptist Church in Vidor.He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John C. (Buck) Thomas, Allon H. (Pistol) Thomas, sisters Alice Radcliff, and Lonie Wallace.He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Billie J. May Thomas of Vidor; sons, Kerry D. Thomas and his wife Debbie of Mauriceville, E. Perry Thomas and his wife Shannon of Beaumont. Brothers; Virge C., Lenard H., George R of Vidor. Sisters; Martha Torres and Stella Hoffpauir of Vidor and Fannie Carpenter of Wildwood. His grandsons, Ryan Reid Thomas, Perry Michael Thomas, William Rice Thomas, all of Beaumont.Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at Pine Forest Baptist Church of Vidor. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 18, 2010 at Pine Forest Baptist Church under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor, with entombment to follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in Vidor.

Cemetery:
Restlawn Memorial Park, 2725 N. Main St., Vidor, Texas 77662

Visitation:
6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at Pine Forest Baptist Church, 4800 N. Main St., Vidor, Texas 77662

Service:
10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 18, 2010 at Pine Forest Baptist Church