Obituary for William W "Bill" Thomas
William W. (Bill) Thomas, age 82 was born on September 24, 1938, entered the gates of heaven Saturday, January 9th, 2021.
Bill was born in El Dorado, Arkansas and raised in Parkers Chapel. He began working for Western Auto prior to his banking career. In 1962 he accepted a position at Exchange Bank and Trust company in El Dorado. He commuted to Magnolia at night for twelve years to complete his business degree at Southern State College. He transferred departments, advanced positions, and worked his way to becoming a director. He left the bank in 1976 to join Peoples Bank and Trust in Van Buren as president. During his tenure at Peoples Bank he was elected chairman of the Arkansas Association of Bank Holding Companies before his retirement in 1984. In 1987 he joined Citizens Bank and Trust in Van Buren where he served as President until his second retirement in 2003. He remained on the Board of Directors until 2019.
Bill loved his community and served it well in many capacities including past president of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce and as a school board member for twelve years. He was a devoted and active member of Heritage United Methodist Church where he served in many leadership roles and guided the purchase of property to build the original church on Pointer Trail. One of his greatest joys was to sit with his grandchildren in church. He always gave each of them money to put in the offering plate so they would learn to give.
Bill was a friend to many as a: banker, golfer, duck hunter, Razorback fan, and lifelong Methodist, but his favorite title was “Pop” to his grandchildren. He loved federal holidays, and would spend the time off with his grandchildren while they were out of school. He took every opportunity to spend as much time with them as possible. He enjoyed taking his family to the beach where he always started the day by cooking breakfast for everyone. Watching the sunset on the beach was one of his favorite memories.
He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Elora Thomas, his brothers Nelson Thomas and James Thomas, and a sister Fern Thomas Love.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Debbie James Thomas; a daughter, Teri McBrayer and her husband Scott; a stepson Nathan Teague and his wife Kim; four grandchildren: Haylee McBrayer and husband, Sam Lichtveld; Kelsi Godwin and husband, Calvin; and Conner and Caroline Teague.
Graveside Service for friends and family at Gracelawn Cemetery in Van Buren are at 1PM, Thursday, January 14, 2021. Friends will be able to view from 8:00AM-5:00PM on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.
Pallbearers will be R.W. Ocker, J.R. Young, James McGhee, Cliff Warnock, Tom Biggs, Dorvan Wiley, Gary Cottrell, Joe Sirmon, Rusty Myers and Jason Myers.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Ed Witt and Raymond Johnson.
Bill will be fondly remembered by many for his generosity to his community. Memorial gifts may be made to:
Heritage United Methodist Church
1604 Pointer Trail
Van Buren, AR. 72956
Van Buren Education Foundation
P.O. Box 6803
Van Buren, AR. 72956
With sincere gratitude, the family would like to express a heartfelt thanks to friends, caregivers, the Van Buren Fire Department, and Dr. Charles Jennings and staff.
Due to the COVID-19 cases, please wear your mask, your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.
Bill was born in El Dorado, Arkansas and raised in Parkers Chapel. He began working for Western Auto prior to his banking career. In 1962 he accepted a position at Exchange Bank and Trust company in El Dorado. He commuted to Magnolia at night for twelve years to complete his business degree at Southern State College. He transferred departments, advanced positions, and worked his way to becoming a director. He left the bank in 1976 to join Peoples Bank and Trust in Van Buren as president. During his tenure at Peoples Bank he was elected chairman of the Arkansas Association of Bank Holding Companies before his retirement in 1984. In 1987 he joined Citizens Bank and Trust in Van Buren where he served as President until his second retirement in 2003. He remained on the Board of Directors until 2019.
Bill loved his community and served it well in many capacities including past president of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce and as a school board member for twelve years. He was a devoted and active member of Heritage United Methodist Church where he served in many leadership roles and guided the purchase of property to build the original church on Pointer Trail. One of his greatest joys was to sit with his grandchildren in church. He always gave each of them money to put in the offering plate so they would learn to give.
Bill was a friend to many as a: banker, golfer, duck hunter, Razorback fan, and lifelong Methodist, but his favorite title was “Pop” to his grandchildren. He loved federal holidays, and would spend the time off with his grandchildren while they were out of school. He took every opportunity to spend as much time with them as possible. He enjoyed taking his family to the beach where he always started the day by cooking breakfast for everyone. Watching the sunset on the beach was one of his favorite memories.
He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Elora Thomas, his brothers Nelson Thomas and James Thomas, and a sister Fern Thomas Love.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Debbie James Thomas; a daughter, Teri McBrayer and her husband Scott; a stepson Nathan Teague and his wife Kim; four grandchildren: Haylee McBrayer and husband, Sam Lichtveld; Kelsi Godwin and husband, Calvin; and Conner and Caroline Teague.
Graveside Service for friends and family at Gracelawn Cemetery in Van Buren are at 1PM, Thursday, January 14, 2021. Friends will be able to view from 8:00AM-5:00PM on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.
Pallbearers will be R.W. Ocker, J.R. Young, James McGhee, Cliff Warnock, Tom Biggs, Dorvan Wiley, Gary Cottrell, Joe Sirmon, Rusty Myers and Jason Myers.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Ed Witt and Raymond Johnson.
Bill will be fondly remembered by many for his generosity to his community. Memorial gifts may be made to:
Heritage United Methodist Church
1604 Pointer Trail
Van Buren, AR. 72956
Van Buren Education Foundation
P.O. Box 6803
Van Buren, AR. 72956
With sincere gratitude, the family would like to express a heartfelt thanks to friends, caregivers, the Van Buren Fire Department, and Dr. Charles Jennings and staff.
Due to the COVID-19 cases, please wear your mask, your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.