Lt. Gen. William G. Thrash USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant General William G. Thrash, USMC (Ret.) Lieutenant General William G. Thrash, USMC (Ret.) of Hilton Head Island, died Monday July 4th, 2011, at Hilton Head Hospital. He moved to Hilton Head Island in 1991. William Gay Thrash was born in Tifton, GA, on September 17, 1916. Graduating from Boys' High School in Atlanta, GA in 1934, he subsequently received his BS degree from Georgia School of Technology in 1939. LtGen Thrash, a Naval Aviator, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on July 14, 1939 and retired from active duty on June 30, 1972. A complete list of his medals and decorations include: the Distinguished Service Medal with one Gold Star in lieu of a second award; the Silver Star Medal; the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards; the Distinguished Flying Cross; seven Air Medals; the Purple Heart; the Navy Commendation Medal; the Presidential Unit Citation; the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (Thailand); the American Defense Service Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star; the American Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia clasp; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars; the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Presidential Unit Citation; the United Nations Service Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After retirement from the Marine Corps he joined The Presley Companies in Newport Beach, Ca. He later formed his own Residential Building and Development Company. He retired from the building business in 1993, and moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Lt. General Thrash was preceded in death by his first wife Virginia Merryman Thrash, and son Ralph Merryman Thrash. He is survived by his wife, Margie Wooten Thrash; and son William Gay Jr. (Jayne); grand daughter Christine Nursey (Richard); grand son William Thrash III; great grand son Evan Nursey; step son Jeffrey Guss; and step son Robert Guss. Both his sons were also Marine Corps officers. Burial with full military honors will be held on Friday July 8, 2011, at 11:00 AM, at Beaufort National Cemetery. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.