William Lee Thomas. Sr.

William Lee Thomas, Sr. was born January 13, 1925. He was a man who loved his family. Growing up he enjoyed going to church, music and dancing. At the age of 22 he found his queen, Dorothy Ernestine Johnson whom he loved and cherished and they were married on March 28, 1947. He joined the Army reserves but did not pursue further into the military.  During that time, he started his family early in marriage. He was determined to be the provider for his family. He worked a few years at the Ohio Malibu and various jobs until he established employment at the Buckeye Steel Castling for thirty years. Within those thirty years his family grew to seven children. He not only worked the Buckeye he took on various jobs as security and custodian for Ross Labs. He owned his own truck, coordinated with OJFS being on call helping others to move from their homes yet still, making it to work next morning demonstrating the strength in providing for his family. He was not a highly educated man, but strong in value, a man who did what he knew to do. He had affiliations with the Brotherly Love Lodge#3 and made many friends whom he cherished. After the loss of his wife of 54 years, he proceeded to live on with the assistance of family. As the years progressed, he became weaker in strength but never gave in. His motto was “I might give in, but I won’t give up”. He realized aging was the factor in his final days as his faculties diminished; and now was his time to give up. Preceded in death by his beloved queen, Dorothy Ernestine Thomas; children, Zeoba Pauline Thomas and Priscilla Lane Thomas; grandson, Troy Wesley Thomas; father, Fred Thomas; mother, Ann Lee Bowman-Groves; and siblings, Lois Finney, Barbara Groves, Lena Jackson, Marjorie Groves, Charles Groves and Fred Thomas. Survived by children, Charlotte Thomas, William Thomas, Jr. (Marie), Viola Porter, Patricia Thomas and Robert Thomas; special friends, Otis Solomon and Alonzo Rice; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.