W. O. “Sonny” Thomas, Jr.

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Willie Oscar “Sonny” Thomas, Jr., 83, a resident of Columbia, died Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Reverend Tommy Vann officiating.  Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with a Masonic service provided by the Columbia Lodge #31 F & AM. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.   

Sonny was born on September 6, 1940 in Anniston, Alabama to the late W.O. Thomas, Sr. and the late Orlis Payne Thomas Bohannon.  He graduated from Southside High School as Salutatorian of the Class of 1958 and attended Jacksonville State College.  On December 30, 1962 he married Sharon Brooks Thomas.

Sonny was a member of Columbia Elks Lodge #686, Columbia Lodge #31 F & AM, Columbia Council #139 C.M., Franklin York Rite Bodies, Lafayette Chapter #4 RAM, and the Al Menah Shriners Hospital.  He had many interests including antique and new automobiles, car races, football, traveling and television news programs. He retired from Mobil/ Rhone-Poulenc/ Bayer Corp in 1999 as Maintenance Manager and was a member of Riverside United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Sharon Brooks Thomas of Columbia; son, Mark Brooks Thomas of Cookeville; sisters, Linda Thomas (Jerry) Davis and Kathryne Thomas Smith both of Alabama; two brothers, Dennis (Cathy) Bohannon and David (Rhonda) Bohannon both of Alabama; several nieces and nephews; special extended family and friends; Sandi & Sonny Carter (Preston, Morgan, and Kassandra), Cindy and David West family, Jackie Dale, Montee Sneed, Jay and Stacey Smith family, and Anton Santiago.

Pallbearers will be Sonny Carter, Preston Carter, David West, Matt West, Adam West, Brad Drier, Doug Church, Jay Smith, Landon Manning, and Daryl Wynn.  

The family wishes to extend thankfulness to anyone who helped in any way during this season.   Special thanks to Dr. Charles Ball, Dr. Andy Nielsen, NHC, Caris Hospice, Linda Johnson, Sissy and Charles Ponder, Lynn Erdelyan, and Carrie Hall.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude’s Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Hospital for Children P.O. Box 1525 Ranson, WV 25438. Online condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.