Thomas, Sr., William Speight

William Speight Thomas, Sr., (Bill), of Giles County, went to be with his heavenly father on Saturday, October 22, 2005 after a long and courageous battle with numerous health issues.

A resident of Giles County for 30 years, Bill was born on July 1, 1929 in Merry Hill, N.C. as the oldest son of the late R. G. Thomas and Bessie Cofield Thomas. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Raleigh G. Thomas of Norfolk, Va.

Bill was a World War II veteran, a graduate of VPI & SU and retired from Orders Distributing Company of Greenville, S.C. as Vice President of Operations. He also managed the local operations for Orders in Roanoke, Va. for over 15 years.

Following retirement he served in a number of capacities for the Giles County Public Service Authority (PSA) including a member of the Board of Directors and Interim Executive Director of the PSA. He was also instrumental in the development and installation of the Giles County water plant.

Bill is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sue Meredith Thomas of Pembroke, Va.; two sons, William S. Thomas, Jr. of Gallatin, Tenn. and Jeffery A. and Belinda C. Thomas of Richmond, Va.; a granddaughter, Lauren M. Thomas of Roanoke, Va.; a grandson, Evan Thomas of Roanoke, Va.; one brother, Roy A. Thomas of Ponte Vedre, Fla.; and three sisters, Louise T. Swann of Kinsdale, Va., Catherine T. Masterson of Sylvania, Ga. and Hilda T. DeSteuben of Columbus, Ohio.

Visitation and viewing with family and friends will occur form 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday October 24 at the Kendall Funeral Home at 605 Snidow Street in Pembroke, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25 at the Kendall Funeral home Chapel with burial following at Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg, Va.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneralhome.com.