Visitation will be held – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 27th 2018, at Floral Hills Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64133, (816) 353-1218. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 28th 2018, at Floral Hills Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64133, (816) 353-1218. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/. U.S. Army Chaplain, CPT Kyle Ward, will officiate the memorial services. Burial will follow at Floral Hills Cemetery. There will be a reception immediately following the conclusion of services at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 5101 Blue Ridge Cut Off, Kansas City, MO 64133. Everyone is welcome and invited to attend, to share with family and friends – Bill’s Celebration of Life.
Bill was born in Richland Center Wisconsin – to Beatrice and Francis Thomas on July 6, 1941. He went to high school in Spring Green, Wisconsin. He married Shirley L. Smith on May 6, 1995, in Independence Missouri. He worked a variety of jobs over the years, though mainly in construction, and traveling jobs while RV’ing across the country. He was a military veteran and joined the U.S. Army in 1963, serving in Europe for 3 years. After a break in service, he joined the Army Reserves in 1974 and remained until 1990. He was a Sergeant, and served for a total of 19 years. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal.
Bill is preceded in death by his Mother; Beatrice Carruthers Thomas, his Father; Francis Thomas, his 3 Brothers; Alfred Thomas, Paul Thomas, and Marion Thomas, his son; Donald Rafferty, and his Grandson; Baby Aaron Neal.
Bill is survived by His loving wife of 23 years – Shirley L. Thomas; his 3 Sisters; LuLu Belle “Toots” Kessnick, Ann Kruegar, and Hope Thomas, his 5 Sons; Al Smith, William Thomas Jr. (Kim), Mickey Thomas (Ronda), Aaron Neal (Dawn), and Amory Neal (Annmarie), his 3 Daughters; Bobbi Jo Osborne (Jon), Candy Thomas, and Andrea O’Neal (Kenny), his 14 Grandchildren; and 8 Great Grandchildren;
Pallbearers are: William Thomas Jr, Aaron Neal, Kenny O’Neal, Amory Neal, Amory J. Neal (AJ), Kurtis Cheatham, and Kori Cheatham.
Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/.
The family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude and thanks to Dr. Kambhampati and CeCe Atherton, for their continued care and loving spirit, and to each of the dedicated healthcare workers at the Kansas City VA Medical Center, as well as the incredible, loving and caring nurses from Encompass Hospice – https://www.encompasshealth.com/.
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