Obituary of Billie Eugene Thomas

Billie was born in Advance, North Carolina. As a young boy, his family moved to Miami Springs, Florida, where he resided until 1992. He had a passion for airplanes and spent most of his aviation career at Eastern Airlines. After the demise of Eastern Airlines, he remained in the aviation business working in California and finally residing in Simpsonville, SC. He was an active member of the Greenville Elks Lodge # 858 and treasured his time there with his Elks family. Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jolene Lee Thomas, his brother, Bobbie Wayne Thomas and his mother Bonnie Mae Thomas. He is survived by his daughter, Leslie Ann Ruff (Jerry) and their sons, Henry, Benjamin and Phillip, Stepdaughter, Linda Burkholder (Dean) and their daughters, Andrea and Abigail, and Stepson, Don Thomas. He also leaves behind his sister, Sandra Page (Don), his nephew Robert Pinataro (Angela), their two children, his sister-in-law, Patty Thomas, his niece, Dwayne Boggess, (Don), their three children, and nephew, Beau Thomas, (Barbara) and their two sons. Billie was very much loved by his family and friends, and will be greatly missed, especially by his beloved yorkies, Cookie and Shortcake. Funeral Services will be held at 3:30 PM on Sunday, January 15th, 2017 at Graceland East Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel. Following the service, the family will have a reception at the Greenville Elks Lodge, located at 7700 Pelham Rd. Greenville, SC. 29615