Mr. Willie Wade "Bill" Thurmond Jr.'s Obituary
Willie Wade (Bill) Thurmond, Jr. was born May 12, 1929, in Jackson, Mississippi to Willie Wade Thurmond, Sr. and Annie May Bain Thurmond. He passed away on February 17, 2018. He was married to Beverly June Frechette on June 7, 1952, in New London, Connecticut. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2017. Together they raised six children.
Bill graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1952. He served in numerous locations from 1952 to 1964, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. Following his time in the service, he worked as a professional engineer in sales and water quality, forming his own company, Commercial Water Services. He was active in the Catholic Church most recently with Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 4577. Where he served as the Grand Knight from 1992 to 1994.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 siblings: Bess Clair Thurmond Harrison, Harry Thurmond and John Thurmond. He is survived by his sisters Mary Frances Neideffer (Richard) and Martha Ann Mashburn and his brother Glenn Thurmond (Sue). He is also survived by his loving wife June and six children: Michael Thurmond (Loida), Annette Marie (Gary), Beverly Thurmond (Doug), Theresa Galloway (George), Thomas Thurmond (Melanie), and Delma Schriever (Rick); 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, at South Park Funeral Home from 5p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Rosary service led by the Knights of Columbus at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass service will be on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, at Mary Queen Catholic Church at 11 a.m., 606 Cedarwood Drive, Friendswood, TX. Friends are welcome to join the family at the graveside service at South Park Cemetery (1310 N. Main St., Pearland, TX) which will follow the funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Knights of Columbus Regina Coeli Council #4577 , 6320 Madden Rd., Houston, TX 77048, Attention Grand Knight or to Mary Queen Catholic Church Special Friends Ministry which provides educational, recreational, social and therapeutic programs for the intellectually/physically challenged individuals in a safe and secure environment at Mary Queen Church Parish Center, 606 Cedarwood Drive, Friendswood, TX 77546.
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