Obituary of William M. Thomas, Jr.

Mr. William “Billy Jr.” Thomas, Jr., 80, of Waterbury, CT, departed this life on Wednesday May 6, 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital. Billy Jr. was born on January 24, 1940 in Hartsville, SC to William Sr. and Daisy (McPhail) Thomas. At the age of 12, Billy was baptized and became a member of Centenary Methodist Church. He relocated to Waterbury in 1957 after having graduated from Butler High School. In 1958 he returned to Hartsville, SC and joined the U.S. Airforce. He was honorably discharged in 1962. In the fall of that year he returned to Waterbury, CT where he worked at Pratt and Whitney for a number of years before becoming employed by Waterbury Rolling Mills for 30 years retiring in 2006. Billy Jr. was also a member of American Legion Post 135. He enjoyed watching cooking shows and National Geographics. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Jeanette (Wyrick) Thomas, a loving and dedicated daughter Tricia Thomas, a son Juan Eason Sr. two grandsons, DeZaun Thomas and Juan Eason Jr. a granddaughter, Kalana Eason, two great grandsons Nyree and Nasir Carter, a sister Gretel (Alphonso) James of Temple Hills, MD three stepchildren Gayle (Richard) Washington of Lawrenceville, GA, Eugene and Valerie Coleman of Waterbury, CT, nine step-grandchildren and 15 step-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers Thomas Williams and James Thomas. A private graveside service with full Military Honors will be held at the CT State Veterans Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Prospect Memorial Funeral Home with James R. Sanders, Funeral Director. I am lucky that I was given the best father in the world, a father who truly loved me with all of his heart. You will be sadly missed not just by me but by all of us. Love, Tricia