Funeral services for Billy Ray Thomas, age 79 of Spencer, LA, will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at Crossroads Church of Christ with Tommy Lindsey officiating. Burial will follow at Liberty Cemetery in Linville under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home.

Billy was born in Bonita and moved to Haile and later moved to Spencer. He was a 1963 graduate of Linville High School. Billy was an Army Vietnam Veteran. He retired from International Paper Company after 40 years; he worked as a Head Operator in finishing and shipping and as a store room clerk. Billy loved hunting and fishing. He was a hard worker, mowing, planting, cutting firewood, and he took care of the Liberty Cemetery in Linville and Rocky Branch Cemetery. Every chance he got; he would eat fried fish. Billy loved watching old westerns especially Gunsmoke. Billy had a passion for talking on the C.B. and was known as the Green Phantom.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents Oliver Ben "Buddy" and Winford Odellia Glass Thomas; his son Eli Thomas; two brothers Jack and Michael "Shorty" Thomas; and his granddaughter Makenzie Murphy.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years Amy Thurston Thomas, three daughters Tammy Thomas, Jackie Thomas, and Dana Murphy Dooley (David); six sons John David Cooper (Lourdes), Ray Thomas (Brenda), Lance Thomas (Brook), Jamey Thomas, B.J. Thomas, and Tyler Thomas (Hannah); his brother Charles Thomas (Joyce); 20 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ken Thomas, Ben Thomas, Captain Thomas Jr., Jason Cummings, Donnie Brantley, and Robin Cox.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, October 30, 2023 at Crossroads Church of Christ.