Byron Garfield "Bill" Thomas died Friday at his home in Chandler. He was 80.

He was born July 25, 1917, the son of John Wesley Thomas and Bessie Viola Koonce Thomas.

He was a member and former elder of the Church of Christ in Chandler.

He worked as a contract oil pumper until he retired and also farmed and ranched.

He served in the U.S. Army in The Philippines during World War II and with the army of occupation in Japan and was a 50-year member of the American Legion.

He was a judge for his precinct with the election board for many years and followed his father on the board of New Zion Cemetery.

Surviving are his wife, Helen Reed Thomas; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Ginger, Lawton; and Matt and Debbie, Stillwater; daughters and sons-in-law, Viola and Will Jones, Edmond; and Linda and Calvin Anthony, Fairfax, Virginia; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; brother, Bob Thomas, Santa Ana, California; sister, Lorraine Stinchcomb, Chandler; and many other relatives.

Preceding him in death were his daughter, Mary E. Worrell; his parents and a sister, Zola Brixey.

Services were Monday at the Church of Christ, Chandler, under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Chandler.

Burial will be in the New Zion Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home.

Published November 25, 1997.