William Benny Thomas

The Reverend William “Benny” Thomas passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 18, 2016 at his residence in Rydal, Georgia. Mr. Thomas was born on October 29, 1950 in McCaysville, Georgia , the son of the late J.D. Thomas and the late Ruby Thompson Thomas. He grew up in Blue Ridge, Georgia where his family had a long history. On July 11, 1970 he married the love of his life Donna Bonds Thomas. Mr. Thomas enjoyed his many years of employment at Lockheed-Martin in Marietta, Georgia. He enjoyed going to church, boating, camping, working in his garden, vacationing with his family, and spending as much time as possible with his six grandchildren. Benny was faithful member of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Cartersville, Georgia, where he recently stepped down as Pastor. He was very active in many aspects of his church. In addition to serving as Pastor at Oak Grove Baptist Church, he served as Pastor at Guiding Light Baptist Church in East Point, Georgia, Clay Road Baptist Church in Austell, Georgia, and Plainview Baptist Church in Adairsville, Georgia. Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 42 years, Donna Bonds Thomas, his mother Ruby Thomas, his father J.D. Thomas, his mother-in- law Elizabeth Dudley Bonds and his father-in-law Charles Coleman Bonds. He is survived by his two daughters, Kellie Thomas Paige and her husband Steve Paige and their children, JD, Jacob, Luci and Audrey of Rydal and Kimberly Thomas Nelson and her husband Dolph (Tripp) Nelson III and their children, Dolph (Ivy) Nelson IV and Coleman of Cartersville. He is also survived by his sister Gwen Wingard and her husband Doug Wingard, his sister-in-law Elaine Dilbeck and his brother-in-law Linc Bonds and many nieces and nephews. Visitation for Mr. Thomas will be Sunday, March 20 from 4:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. at Owen Funeral Home in Cartersville and funeral services will be held on Monday, March 21 at 2:00p.m. in the chapel at Owen Funeral Home with Reverend David Baker and Reverend Keith Lowery officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens with Reverend Robby Chastain officiating. Serving as Pallbearers are Jason Berryhill, Shane McGill, David McVey, Troy McVey and Buck Williams. Honorary Pallbearers include his grandsons Ivy Nelson, JD Paige, Jacob Paige, Coleman Nelson and the Deacons of Oak Grove Baptist Church.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA., has charge of the funeral arrangements.