Bill Thomas

Billy Lee Thomas, the son of George and LaVada (Fullington) Thomas, was born on June 28, 1927, in Springfield, MO. He was raised on a farm near Niangua, MO and attended school and graduated from Niangua High School.

After high school, Bill was employed with Boeing Airplane CO. located in Wichita, Kansas. Bill served in the Army Signal Corps as a Classification Specialist at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

One month after being discharged from the Army, Bill married Zelma Rust on May 18, 1947. The couple had two children, Deborah and Gary.

They resided in Springfield, MO, where Bill completed his education at the Springfield College of Commerce and LaSalle University. After completing his education, Bill was employed with Wilson & Co. in Springfield as an accountant. He was transferred to Eagle Grove in 1955. From this position, Bill went to work as a CPA doing field audits.

Bill eventually opened his own bookkeeping service in Eagle Grove. He was one of the first businesses to incorporate the use of a computer. After selling his business, Bill went to work with the Goldfield Coop and began working with grain merchandising. He was one of four originators of the Farmer Commodities Corporation. He went on to become an adjunct professor conduction workshops and seminars.

Bill and Zelma retired to the Ozarks, but after 5 years returned to Eagle Grove and worked with Coops as interim management. He finally retired from W&H Coop at the age of 87.

Bill passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the age of 97 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother and sister; wife, Zelma and son-in-law, Melvin Andersen.

Survivors include his daughter, Deborah Andersen of Humboldt; Gary Thomas (Laura) of Eagle Grove; grandsons, Christopher Logue (Jamie) of Fort Dodge and Daniel Thomas (Statia) of Ames; great grandsons. Kenneth Logue, Liam and Desmond Thomas and step great grandson, Reco Jolly and Slade Babb.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove. Visitation was Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery.