Published: January 02, 2008 05:39 pm            

Obituaries for Week of January 2, 2008

NEWTON — Bill Thames

Funeral services for Billy Jackson Thames were held at Newton United Methodist Church, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 with Rev. Tom Sorrell officiating. Burial was in the Masonic Cemetery with Rev. Lynn McRaney handling grave side services.

Thames, 80, was born on December 2, 1927 in Decatur to parents James McDonald Thames and Frances Jackson Thames.

Survivors include: wife, Betty; sons, Jack Thames of Newton and Kirk Thames and his wife, Jennifer of Union; a brother, Reginald Thames and wife, Mamye, of Decatur; seven grandsons, Amos, Zach, Sam and Ben Thames of Newton and Wilkins Thames of Union; Josh Sinko of Birmingham, Ala., and Nathan Sinko and wife, Angie, of

Starkville; three granddaughters, Charlotte Vitolo and husband, Luke, stationed in Germany, Kirby and Olivia Thames of Union; and a great-granddaughter, Madelyn Sinko of Starkville, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Thames was a graduate of Decatur High School, East Central Community College and Mortimer Schiff Boy Scouts of America Training Institute in New Jersey. His interest in Boy Scouting scanned his lifetime. He served as Boy Scout Executive with Choctaw Area Council, Meridian, and Istrouma Council, Baton Rouge, La., residing in Philadelphia and Bogalusa, La. for 12 years before returning home to establish their family business. The Brass Knob in downtown Newton, which they ran for nearly 21 years. He served as rural mail carrier working out of the Lake Post Office until his retirement in 1996. His military service was with the Army during the closing of WWII in Italy.

He was a member of the Newton United Methodist Church where he had served in many leadership capacities. He was a former member of the Executive Board of Choctaw Area Council BSA. He presently served on the Board of Trustees of East Central Community College, Rural Development Board Member, Newton United Givers Board of Directors, a past president of Newton Rotary Club and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Always an avid sports fan especially of games involving youth of the area, he had many young athletes not only among his grandsons whom he cheered on as “My Man”.

He was preceded in death by parents and daughter, Deborah Thames Pruitt, a brother, James Thames, and a sister, Frances Thames Gray.

Pallbearers were his grandsons, Amos Thames, Zach Thames, Sam Thames, Ben Thames, Wilkins Thames, Josh Sinko and Nathan Sinko.

St. Jude Research was a favorite charity. Memorials may be to his or your favorite charity.



Leon Wansley

Leon Wansley died December 28, 2007 at his residence on Ararat Road in Butler, AL. He was born August 27, 1930 in Decatur, Miss.

He was a retired Chief Master Sergeant with 22 years service in the USAF.

Leon and his wife have been business owners in the butler, Ala. area for 25 years. They were proprietors of The Pier II Restaurant and lounge and the Naheola Warehouse in Pennington, Ala.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Minnie Lou Wroten Wansley and Ollie Wansley, his sisters, Emma Jo Wansley Pierce and Addean Wansley Sims.

Leon is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Taylor Wansley; his daughters, Dee Wansley Priamos and Audrey Wansley Visnic; his grandchildren Tara Visnic, Samuel Visnic and Cassie Johnson Martin. Leon is also survived by is nieces, Betty Sims Tingle, Mona Lynn Pierce Kirkland and his nephews, Johnny Pierce, Larry Pierce and Charles Sims.

Services are scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 at Bumpers Funeral Home in Butler, Ala.

Honorary pallbearers are Roy Jr. Garrison and Hugh Luker.

There will no grave side service at his final resting place in Decatur.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Bumpers Funeral Home of Butler, Ala. is in charge of arrangements.

        

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