William “Billy” Henry Thomas, Jr. Born in Georgetown, SC on Aug. 3, 1924 Departed on Sep. 28, 2016 and resided in Murrells Inlet, SC. Visitation: Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 6:00 pm 7:30 pm Service: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 11:00 am Cemetery: Elmwood Cemetery Annex William H. (Billy) Thomas, Jr., 92, of Murrells Inlet, SC passed away in Waccamaw regional hospital on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. Billy was born in Georgetown August 3, 1924. He was the son of William Henry Thomas and Emma Beaty Thomas.. He is survived by his wife Miriam Parsons Thomas and his sons with Lora Burns Thomas, William H. Thomas, III (Ginger); Robert B. Thomas, Steven C. Thomas , David B. Thomas and a step-daughter, Barbara B. Roehrig. He is further survived by his grand-children Capt. William Beaty Thomas (Angela) with three great grandchildren and Lora Thomas, both Citadel Graduates and many other family members from the Parson’s family. He was predeceased by his sister, Margaret (Peggy) Thomas. Billy grew up in Georgetown and graduated from Winyah High School as President of his class. He attended The Citadel until World War II when his entire class was sent to fight in that war. He served with the 25th Infantry Division in Guadalcanal and the liberation of the Philippines, where he was wounded. He received the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Purple Heart, among other campaign medals. After his return he traveled with various corporate businesses and settled down in Georgetown as the owner and later partner in Terminal Oil Exxon distributorship for many years with his partner Sam Walters. Billy was extremely active and proud of his service in the South Carolina Army National Guard and served some thirty years in various units but his major goal was reached when he took command of the Georgetown headquarters as Battalion Commander (4th-178th Field Artillery). He also dedicated his life to helping others through his churches, first at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Georgetown, then with Hibben United Methodist Church while living in Mount Pleasant and finally with Belin Memorial United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet, his most important spiritual home. Billy had a unique ability to radiate goodwill and humor to all around him and truly loved his fellow man. He was sharp as a tack up until the end, just like his mother. Services will be as follows: family visitation at 6-7:30 pm Friday, October 7, 2016, at the Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home; Funeral at 11 am Saturday, October 8, 2016, Belin Memorial United Methodist Church followed by reception at church Family Life Center, Murrells Inlet. A family inurnment service will follow at 2 pm in Elmwood Cemetery Annex in Georgetown to include any of his Georgetown friends unable to attend the Belin services. Sign a at www.mayerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please send any memorials to Belin Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 528, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.
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Posted on: 2016-10-03
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