Billy R. Thomas
May 8, 1934 – Nov. 4, 2015

Mr. Billy Ray Thomas, age 81, a resident of 412 Belann Court, Washington went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Vidant Inpatient Hospice.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm Saturday, November 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 11:00am until 11:45am at Second Baptist Church.

Billy was born in Goldsboro, Wayne County, NC on 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. On June 10, 1966, he married Jean Hamilton. Billy and Jean were married for 49 ½ years and had begun planning their 50th anniversary. He served in the Army from March 5, 1957 until March 13, 1959. Billy retired from NC 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, him and his wife Jean traveled throughout the states and to Japan, Canada and Alaska. He enjoyed the NASCAR races, was a UNC 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 with 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, MI, Cheryle Barnes and husband Steve of Williamston, Mark Thomas and wife Tracy of Goldsboro, Michael Thomas of Florida; grandchildren, Seth Barnes and fiancée Kelly Phillips, Shawn Thomas, Zac Morden, Kaylee Limbert, Shane Thomas, Tiffany Phiserbeek; five great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Gladys Thomas, Sophie Thomas, Martha Thomas; one sister, Mae Sutton; and one brother, Joseph Donald Thomas.

In addition to his parents, Billy is 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. Shepard Cancer Center, General Fund, 1209 Brown Street, Washington, NC  27889 or to Ascera Care Hospice, 502 Red Banks Road, Suite B, Greenville, NC  27858.

Condolences may be made to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Thomas family.