Thomas, William H. "Bill"

Services for William H. "Bill" Thomas, 76, of Longview will be 
10 a.m. Monday, December 18, 2006, at the chapel of Rader 
Funeral Home of Longview with the Rev. Tom Roberson, the Rev. 
Kenneth Mills and Dr. Ben Rogers officiating. Entombment will 
follow in Rosewood Park Chapel Mausoleum. Bill passed away 
Thursday, December 14, 2006, in Longview. He was born October 18, 
1930, in Franklin County, Georgia, one of eight children. He 
moved to Longview in 1966 from Greenville, South Carolina, and 
worked tirelessly as a machinist for R.G. LeTourneau for 23-1/2 
years. After retirement, he continued to work for 12 more years 
with his son, Doyle, with What-A-Burger of Tyler. Bill was an 
active member of Oakland Heights Baptist Church and was a past 
member with the Lions Club of Longview. Bill was a loving and 
supportive father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was truly 
loved and cherished by all who knew him. He was a true Southern 
"gentleman". He loved to travel with his close friend, Ray Colwell, 
deceased. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. 
W.H. "Paw Paw" Thomas is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, 
Doyle and Karen Thomas and Dave and Cathy Thomas, all of Longview; 
grandsons, Keene, Brent, Brennan, Clay and Taylor Thomas; six 
great-grandchildren; brothers, E.G. and Robert Thomas of Georgia; 
sisters, Docia Strickland of Georgia and Jo Ann Gray of South Carolina; 
sisters-in-law, Myrtle and Sarah Thomas of Georgia; as well as many 
nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both parents, Ace and 
Janie; brothers, Oscar "Duck" and B.K. Thomas; and a sister, Jimmie Sue 
Martin, all of Georgia. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, 
memorials be made to: "Meals on Wheels," 405 North 5th St., Longview, 
Texas 75601. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. today, 
December 17, 2006, at Rader Funeral Home Chapel, 1617 Judson Road. 
"Pop, we will forever love and miss you. You were always our number 
one supporter and mentor who could always be counted on to take care of 
us and guide us no matter what." A memorial guestbook may be signed 
online at www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 12/17/2006.