Bill J. Thacker

Services for Bill J. Thacker, 93, of Cleburne, will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 13, 2023, in the Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mike Mizell officiating. Interment will follow at the Cleburne Memorial Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be at the funeral home, from 6:00-8:00 PM on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
Bill J. Thacker passed away September 5, 2023. He was born June 15, 1930 in Cleburne. He was a graduate of the Cleburne High School Class of 1948. Bill served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He then moved to California after his service and made a home in California. He worked primarily in the entertainment industry. He co-owned the Palomino Club where he played piano and booked national and local talent, and in the process made many friends. He also played with his bands in various nightclubs and was a DJ at radio station KNBA.
In 1976 Bill returned to Cleburne. He married Nancy Harris in 1977. He was V.P. of Sales and Public Relations for AGE Industries until he retired some 30 years later.
Bill was forever the entertainer. He was able to share his gift of music, whether it was for a professional appearance, community gathering, business function, or with friends and family. He was inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame in California in 1994. In 2004, he was inducted into the Country Music Association Texas Hall of Fame. The year 2010 brought his induction into the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest Hall of Fame. He will always be remembered for his charm, wit, humor and musical talent.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, Edgar H. Thacker; his mother, Minnie Nash Cruz; his wife, Nancy Claire Thacker; and his daughter, JoAnn Thacker.
Survivors include his children, David Thacker & wife Debra, Kevin Thacker & wife Jeanna, Deborah Thacker & partner, David Fradin, Ron Harris & wife Shirley, and Diane Zimmerman & husband Larry. He and Nancy shared 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.