Billy Lee Thomas, 90, died May 21, 2017, after a brief illness. He was born in Macon, Georgia, to the late Irene Asbell Thomas and George Nelson Thomas. He was preceded in death by sisters, Lucile Thomas Kight and Dorothy Thomas Kellett, brothers, Frank Asbell Thomas and George Nelson Thomas, Jr., and his beloved daughter, Rose Thomas Johns, granddaughter, Vanna Thomas Holloway.
Billy was a 1944 graduate of Boys High in Macon. He proudly served our military during World War II, with a tour in the Philippines. Upon returning, he attended and received a degree in Business Administration from Mercer University.
In 1948, Billy and his brothers formed Thomas Packing Company in Griffin, a meat processing plant that among many items, provided shelf cured hams to families for generations as well as hot dogs for the Kiwanis Club’s infamous fair korn dogs. He continued to be active in the business until it was sold in 2004, proudly having served the area for over 50 years.
Billy was a member of the Griffin Historical Society, former member of the Capital City Club, Coffee Club, the Kappa Alpha Order and Rotary Club, where he was both a Paul Harris and Will Watt Fellow. He was a member and past President of the Southeastern Meat Packers Association and served on the board of the National Independent Meat Packers Association.
Near and dear to his heart were First Methodist Church and Mercer University. Billy was a member of the Dunkers Sunday School class. He served the church in many capacities including founding the Pruett -Thomas Trust Fund, helping to maintain his beautiful church facilities. He loved his Mercer Bears and was a Life-time member of the Mercer President’s Club where a theological scholarship was named in his honor.
Those fortunate enough to know Billy will remember his humor and his sweet and kind spirit. He was a very loving and devoted husband, father and friend; a man who always saw the good in people, was quick witted and always ready to compliment “all the pretty ladies”. He relished spending time with family, content to sit at the head of the table taking it all in. He couldn’t have been more proud of us than we were of him.
Billy is survived by his wife of 66 years, Anne Compton Thomas; sons, Jim Thomas (Sue) of Jackson, Lee Thomas (Tina) of Griffin, Wayne English and Tim Evans of Griffin, and daughter Virginia Smith (David) of Sugar Hill, GA; son-in-law, Jim Johns of Griffin; grandchildren Chip Johns (Emily), Thomas Smith (Fiancée Holly McClelland), Andrea McSmith (Melissa), Josh Thomas (Alicia), Sam Holloway, Meghan Thomas, Kylee Tinney (Clint), and William Thomas, several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and sister Elizabeth “Tibba” Harwell (Bill) of Griffin.
Though greatly saddened by his death, the family is so fortunate to have had the privilege of his life for 90 years. Billy truly was part of the “Greatest Generation”, where chivalry, honor, respect, dedication and love to church and family were priorities; a true Southern gentleman in all aspects; a man in whose company was always a pleasure.
Those wishing to make a donation in his memory are asked to contribute to the Pruett-Thomas Trust Fund at First United Methodist Church, 1401 Maple Drive, Griffin, Georgia 30224. Visitation will be held in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church, 1401 Maple Drive, Griffin, from 1-3 p.m., Wednesday, May 24, followed by the service in the Sanctuary.

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