Rev. Willis C. THOMAS Jr.

News Death Notice

THOMAS JR., Rev. Willis C. was born December 29, 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Reverend Willis Thomas, Sr. and Irma Thomas. He received his primary education in Memphis, Tennessee and Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Dayton, continuing his formal education at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. He graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts Degree and attended the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia; later, receiving two honorary doctorate degrees. Willis accepted Christ at the age of nine and accepted his call to the gospel ministry at fourteen. He preached his first sermon July 18, 1956 at the Greater First Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee and was later ordained August 15, 1958. Dr. Thomas founded three churches: Canaan Missionary Baptist Church (Dayton, Ohio) 1965-1973, Unity Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church (Indianapolis, Indiana) 1976-1986 and The Grace Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church of (Dayton, Ohio) March 2010-present. He also pastored Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church from 1973-1976 as well as the Greater St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church from 1986-2010 both of Wichita Kansas. Dr. Thomas preached and pastored for fifty-six years. He was known as a preacher, pastor, teacher and evangelist throughout the United States and abroad. He participated into preaching tours to Monrovia, Liberia and West Africa (1973), where he baptized 163 persons and 1038 souls were saved. He preached in the Hands Across the Sea Tour, a six-day preaching tour in the mountain and bush areas of Haiti. He also conducted a weeklong revival in Seoul South Korea. Dr. Thomas was special assistant to the President of the State Convention of Kansas, President of the State Congress of Kansas, and moderator of Southwest District Association. Dr. Thomas served many local and state organizations in various capacities. He was a lecturer in the Christian Ministries Department of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. Willis had three sons, Talmadge J'Von, Illya Torrance and Tegitra Kareem by a previous marriage to Diane Hammond. He met and married Mary Bradley in December of 1986 and remained married for twenty-six years. Pastor Thomas answered the Master's call following a brief illness, joining many friends and loved ones who preceded him. Those left to cherish his memory: his wife of twenty-six years, Mrs. Mary Thomas of Dayton, OH; sons Talmadge J'Von (Aronda) Toledo, Ohio, Illya Torrance (Patricia) Cincinnati, OH and Tegitra Kareem (Meachelle) Grambling, Louisiana; an adopted mom, Arlena Smith; (9) grandchildren, (3) sisters-in-law, Bessie Coleman (Pickerington, Ohio), Delores Woods and Patricia Hollowell (Indianapolis, Indiana); (3) brothers-in-law, Billy, Milton and Willie Lee (Felicia) Bradley; (2) special sisters, Ernestine Jones (Chicago, Illinois) and Delores Gore (Fort Worth, Texas), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, a wealth of preacher/pastors, and many friends, that he loved as family. Funeral services 11:00 A.M., THURSDAY, June 7, 2012 at CANAAN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 5191 Hoover Ave. Rev. Joseph Coleman, Host Pastor, with Reverend Earl Burkhalter, officiating. Interment: Woodland Cemetery. The viewing will be held 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, June 6, 2012 at the CHURCH. Arrangements entrusted to Thomas Funeral Home, 4520 Salem Ave. On line condolences may also be sent to the family at www.thomasfunerals.com