Billy Thomas

Billy Monroe Thomas, beloved husband, father, and papa, passed away on Friday, September 7, 2018 following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Bill was born in Sulphur, OK on August 17, 1951 to Joe “BB” and Louise (Shepard) Thomas. In 1969 he graduated from Sulphur High School, and on December 8, 1969, Bill married Karen Sue Eldred. From this marriage, Bill was blessed with two sons, Mark and Poppy.

Following high school, Bill was employed in Sulphur as a maintenance welder for OG&E and served four years in the Oklahoma National Guard Reserves. Then, in 1978, Bill transferred to OG&E’s Sooner Power Plant in Red Rock, OK. After 34 years of service, Bill retired from OG&E and began his second career as a foreman of power plant maintenance projects for WS Mechanical.

On March 20, 2013, Bill married Nellie Rhoades, and gained two step-sons, Stevan and Jesse. Nellie and Bill made their home in Perry, OK.

Bill was a family man and an outdoorsman. His favorite activities included going on hunting trips with his sons and telling stories around the campfire, hunting all types of game, fishing and
spending time with his grandkids, whether that be watching them at the ballfields or livestock shows doing what they love.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie of the home; mother, Louise Thomas; two sons, Mark Thomas and wife Dee Ann, and Poppy Thomas and wife Kelsey; two step-sons, Stevan Cervantes and wife Lindsay, and Jesse Jim and wife Amber; eleven grandkids, Dallan, Darrell, JB, Blake, and Kolt Thomas; Camden, Taten, and Nolan Cervantes; Dylan, Raigan, and Maisyn Jim; and brother, Bo Thomas and wife Paula. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Joe Thomas, and grandson Daniel Thomas.

Visitation will be at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater, OK from 9 am to 5 pm on Tuesday, September 11 and 9 am to 8 pm on Wednesday, September 12. Bill’s family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, September 13 at Hilltop Country Church in Morrison, OK. Interment will follow at Morrison Cemetery. Active pallbearers are David McClure, Earl Frazier, Carey Lewellen, Bryan Bevins, Larry Brown, John Brien, and Rod Meeks; honorary pallbearers are the OG&E family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Karman Legacy Hospice through Palmer-Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater, OK. Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com

Mark and Poppy are especially thankful for the unconditional love, kindness, and support that Nellie showed toward Bill throughout their marriage and his illness.