Services for Royce Ward Thomas, 89, Athens, were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 2, at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel, Athens, with Dr. Bill Pemberton officiating.
Burial was in Oaklawn Memorial Park.
Mr. Thomas died September 28, 2008, in Athens.
He was born September 24, 1918 near Martins Mill, Van Zandt County, to Oscar William and Alma Daniel Thomas. He attended Martins Mill schools and served in the Medical Corp. of the U.S. Army during World War II. He was stationed in Northern Africa and Italy. He was employed as a building contractor and had worked in Dallas, Van Zandt and Henderson counties. He also owned and operated a cabinet shop in Athens. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Athens and was a charter member of the Athens #7103 chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lillian West Thomas; brother, Harvey Thomas; and sisters, Rena Ponder, Mamie Cathey and Mattie Perry.
Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Gaylia and Curtis Rogers, Balch Springs; foster son, Bill Thomas, and wife Betty, Mustang, Okla.; sisters, Avinell Starr, Walton, and Naomi Cikanek, Athens; sister-in-law, Juanita Phillips, and husband Billy Wayne, Quinlan; brother-in-law, Darrell West, and wife Ruby, Ben Wheeler; numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers included Van Perry, Jerry West, Pete Harville, Robin Starr, Charles West and Stephen Starr.
