William Abram (Bill) Thomas

March 20, 1927 - October 31, 2018

William Abram Thomas (Bill), 91, of Bristol, VA, went home to be with his Savior and Lord on October 31, 2018. He was predeceased by his son, Malcolm Wade Thomas. He survived by his sweetheart and loving wife, Shirley Hall Thomas. He is also survived by son, William Abram Thomas, Jr. (Diane) of Midlothian, VA; two daughters, Sherry Thomas Greene (Brad) of Roswell, GA and Melanie Thomas Fitzgerald (Mike) of Murfreesboro, TN; ten adoring grandchildren, Valerie Thomas Myers (Aaron); Jenna Thomas Lear (Jeff); William Abram Thomas, III (Kristen); Drew Van de Vere Greene; Charles Brandon Greene (Brittany); Evan William Fitzgerald; Kyla Fitzgerald Cagle (Alex); Zachary Daniel Thomas, Kenley Faith Thomas, Tanner Wade Thomas and nine beloved great-grandchildren, Haley, Lauren and Troy Myers; Luke and Alexa Lear; Deacon and Harper Thomas; Raelynn Thomas and Lola Greene. “Granddaddy” especially loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He could tell you each of their birthdays by memory even at 91. Additionally, “Brother” is survived by three of his eight sisters, Kitty Thomas Castle of Lebanon, VA; Jane Thomas Wilson (Eddie) of Canal Winchester, OH ; Betty Thomas Hanes (Sonny) of Bowling Green, KY and dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews. Bill was born and raised on the family farm on Big Moccasin Creek, Russell County, VA and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1943 at the age of 16. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946- 1948, including an overseas assignment in the Philippines. Shortly after returning home from service he met and married his beautiful wife, Shirley. They moved from the farm to Kingsport, TN in 1953 when he took a job as a pressman at the Kingsport Press. After a strike at the Press, Bill and Shirley and four children moved to Bristol in 1963 where he worked for Campbell Motors and Delta Truck Center as a shop foreman. Bill was an active loyal member of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church for 55 years, serving as a deacon, teaching Sunday School, ushering, and serving in the Gideons and Rescue Mission Ministries for many years. His faith and witness were strong even to the last days of his life here on earth. His Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 2:30 P.M., Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Euclid Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Allen Roberts officiating. Entombment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery Mausoleum with Military Rites conducted by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Mac Dorton, Jay Dorton, Evan Fitzgerald, Will Thomas, Aaron Myers, Brandon Greene and Jeff Lear. Honorary Pallbearers will be Marion Dugger’s Sunday School Class, Jack Coffey, Hubert Fogleman, Wilton Wood, Leroy Whited, Glenn Murray, Valen Miller, Allen Sharrett and Jack Linder. The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 2:30 P.M., Saturday prior to the service at the church. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, (423) 989-4800 is serving the Thomas family.