Nov. 16, 1928 — July 8, 2015

Wilbert C. Thomas, 86, of Niles, Michigan died at 10:47 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at Silverbrook Manor in Niles, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on Nov. 16, 1928, in Holland, Kentucky to Porter Lee and Mary Matheny (Meadows) Thomas. He served his country in the United States Army for nine years, earning the rank of Master Sergeant.

Bill moved to Michigan in 1963, coming from Bowling Green, Kentucky. He owned and operated Buchanan Upholstery, in Buchanan, Michigan and was then employed by Modineer in Niles, from which he retired in 1993, after 17 years of service.

Bill was a member of the Northeastern Harley Motorcycle Association, and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. He enjoyed camping with his family, especially “up-north” in Michigan, and watching wildlife.

On Aug. 16, 1980, in Niles, he married the former Lucia A. Riddle with whom he celebrated last year the 34th anniversary of their wedding.

He is survived by his wife, Lucia Thomas and by his children, Ronnie Thomas of Minong, Wisconsin, Wilbert (Patty) Thomas, Jr. of Gulfport, Mississippi, Donnie Ray (Anna) Thomas of Princeton, Minnesota, Porter Ray (June) Thomas of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Darla Sue Knuth of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; Lucia’s children, Karen (Seamus) Cochran of Buchanan, Michigan, Leslie Wood and Mike Kirk, both of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Roderick (Judy Young) Boyle of Niles, and Andrea Connors of Fort Myers, Florida; 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; Bill’s brother Joe Fred (Wanda) Thomas of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, step-son Quinn Kirk, and brothers Herbert, Gilbert, Caulkin, Ross, Robert, Ray, Ralph, Stanley, Roger, and Arthur Thomas.

The funeral service for Wilbert Thomas will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Rob McPhearson of First United Methodist Church in Buchanan, officiating. Committal will be on Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post No. 51 of Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Contributions in memory of Bill may be made to the Hospice at Home. www.halbritterfunerals.com