William Samuel Thomas

William Samuel Thomas obituary, Kings Mountain, NC

William Samuel Thomas

William Thomas Obituary

Visit the Harris Funeral Home - Kings Mountain website to view the full obituary.

DATELINE: Blacksburg, South Carolina

William Samuel Thomas

William Samuel Thomas, born November 2, 1944, in Greer, South Carolina, left for his eternal home August 29, 2025. He lived most of his life on Lake Keowee, with the love of his life, Jo Hazelhurst.

He was the son of the late Eugene and Margaret Thomas.

His memory will live on through those who miss him. His only son William Tracy Thomas was by his side till the end.

He was affectionately known as PT (Papa Thomas) to grandchildren Brittany Cox, Brandon Thomas, and Cameron Thomas. He is also survived by his loving sister, Rose Owens.

After serving honorably in the US Air Force, he pursued multiple successful- and often unrelated careers. He was a car buyer, and salesman for several dealerships throughout the years, and later spent several years driving a truck seeing much of the country. There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix. Hit-and-miss motors, old cars, and unsolvable electrical problems were welcome challenges for him.

Bootlegger, as he was known to Tracy and Jo, always had a passion for animals of any kind. From dogs to birds to monkeys…. he had a few of everything through the years. After becoming a widower, he enjoyed traveling to Florida for winters and spending time with his many friends. Among his dearest were Greg Tinsley and Thomas Courtney, who were like sons to him.

In the latter part of his life, he valued and immersed himself in fatherhood the most. He loved, protected, and defended fiercely. He shared generously and was always the one who showed up in a crisis to weather the storm.

Among a few who live lives full of wisdom and rare knowledge was William (Bill) Thomas. His words of wisdom mixed with a healthy sense of humor could carry anyone. His constant presence will be missed terribly by those who cherished him.

We could easily write more: But as he would say, “It's too much sugar for a nickel!”

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM

ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Harris Funeral Home - Kings Mountain

108 South Piedmont Ave., Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Make a Donation
in William Thomas's name

How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor William Thomas's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more