William Alan Thode

William A. Thode was born at home on Nov. 8th, 1937 in Del Rio, Tennessee to parents Henning Frederick Thode and Sarah Evelyn Stokely. He was raised in Cocke County, Tennessee and had four siblings which included an older sister, Mary Ellen Thode (deceased), and three younger brothers, Jimmy Moore, Roy Moore and Gary Moore. William was known for his outgoing and extroverted personality and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, the outdoors, living a mountain lifestyle, watching football, reading, and spending time with his family .

He married the love of his life, Joanne Kathleen Hurst on June 6th, 1959 at McChord Airforce Base in Tacoma, Washington. Together they had three children; Marleena Talbott, Wade Thode, and Nicole Thode. William was a skilled laborer, he was employed by Kaiser Aluminum for 18 years and served as the credit union president there, and retired from Kaiser in 1982.

He also worked 3 years for Dickman's Lumber, as well as serving 6 years in the Airforce. He served in the Squadron Det 3 55th Weareconron, MAT as an airplane mechanic and spent much of his time at McChord Airforce Base and was recalled to the 113 Operations squadron, HQ, 113 Tactical Fighter Wing, at Andrews Airforce Base in Maryland during the Berlin conflict, leaving the service as a Staff Sergeant after being awarded the AFLSA (Airforce Longevity Service Award). William's favorite places to vacation were Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, the Oregon coastline and any mountain destination or road trips-unpaved roads preferred. William passed away peacefully on Jan. 18th, 2017 at Life Care Center in Puyullup, Washington due to complications caused by an infection.

He is survived by his children, Marleena (daughter), Wade (son), and Nicole (daughter), granddaughters, Sarah, Amanda and Brittany, grandsons, Wesley and William, great grandsons, Gordy and Marshall, as well as great granddaughters Claire and Violet. He will be laid to rest with Joanne at Tahoma National Cemetery, in Kent, WA on February 27th, 2017 at 12:30pm.