William Ray Thomas

Reverend William Ray Thomas, age 84 of Myrtle Beach, SC; passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 8th, 2026 at his residence.

Ray was born December 12th, 1941 in Brunswick, GA to the late Herbert Theodore "Joe" Thomas and Mildred Herring Thomas. He grew up in the First Wesleyan Church in Brunswick, GA. He was a graduate of Glenn Academy High School in Brunswick, GA. He received his calling to the ministry and began to follow his calling by majoring in Theology at Central Wesleyan College, now known as Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC. There, he met his future wife, Arminia Smith, who was a music major, and they were married in 1962. Together, they served the Lord, pastoring in the NC West District of the Wesleyan Church for 44 years, serving in Mocksville, NC, Old Fort, NC and finally in Greensboro, NC at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church. Better known as "Pastor Thomas" by most, he was exactly that. He was not only a Pastor to the church he was serving at that time, but a Pastor to each of the communities he lived in, often visiting in many homes and hospitals each and every day. He never met a stranger and never passed up an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus. After his retirement from the Wesleyan Church, they moved to Myrtle Beach, SC. He maintained his membership at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church in Greensboro, where he called home, but attended First Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach until his passing.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 62 years, Arminia Smith Thomas; a sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Lowell Ansley; a brother, Joseph Edward "Eddie" Thomas; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mayme and William "Bill" Smith; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy and Joe Simpson; a niece, Jodie Moore Earnest.

Survivors include his two sons: Craig Thomas and wife Leslie of Myrtle Beach, SC, Eric Thomas and wife Jenny of Sparta, NC; three grandchildren: Hunter Thomas and wife Whittney of Sparta, NC, Parker Thomas of Sparta, NC, Noah Thomas and wife Peyton of Conway, SC; two step-grandchildren: Nate Foster and wife Anna Leigh of Chicago, IL, Brett Foster of Myrtle Beach, SC; three great-granddaughters: Emory Thomas, Everleigh Thomas and Porter Thomas; one step-great-granddaughter, Kendallyn Tabor; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Ann Thomas of Jasper, GA, Joyce and Jim Moore of Liberty, NC; a special niece, Kaci Anderson of New Market, TN; nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends also survive.

Funeral Services to honor the Godly life of Ray will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, February 12th, 2026 at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church in Greensboro, NC with District Superintendent Reverend Jerry Lumston and Reverend David Albertson officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. A private interment will follow at Hickory Chapel Wesleyan Church Cemetery in High Point, NC.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 at First Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach with the Reverend Joel McMakin officiating.

The family will receive friends following the service at the church in the Wesley Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, 3235 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro, NC 27405, First Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach, PO Box 1367, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578, or to Old Fort Wesleyan Church, 336 Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, NC 28762 to assist with rebuilding after Hurricane Helene.

McMillan-Small Funeral Home and Crematory of Myrtle Beach, SC along with Thomas Family Funeral Service of Sparta, NC is honored to be serving the Thomas Family.

If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at both www.msfh.net and/or www.thomasfamilyfs.com.