William David Thomas, 72, of Knob Noster, Missouri, died Thursday, April 14, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri.

The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Higginsville with Pastor Jim Richardson of First Baptist Church in Knob Noster officiating. Full military honors will be provided by Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard.  Pallbearers will be Kurtis Garrett, Eric Archibeque, Adam Archibeque, Shea Archibeque, Luke Archibeque and Edward Chain.

William was born Jan. 15, 1943, in Bertrand, Missouri, the son of William Elbert Thomas and Edith Willette (Morgan) Thomas. He graduated from Thomas W. Kelly High School in Bertrand and, soon after, enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at several bases throughout his military career, including Goose Bay Air Force Base, Labrodor; Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico; and Camp New Amsterdam, Holland. William was stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, for the majority of his career. He was married to Edna Mae Felmey. She preceded him in death. He married Donna J. (Lowery) Brown on July 26, 2002, in Knob Noster, Missouri. William enjoyed fishing, camping, yard work and faithfully following his grandchildren’s many events.

Survivors include his wife, Donna; two daughters, Debbie Paige of Rexford, New York, and Teresa Archibeque and husband, Paul, of Sedalia, Missouri; two sons, Edward Chain of Sedalia, and William Thomas Jr., and wife, Cherry, of Grand Island, Florida; two sisters, Margaret Smith and husband, Raymond of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Beverly McIlroy and husband, George of Granite City, Illinois; brother, Paul Thomas and wife, Rose of Kileen, Texas; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Edna Mae “Sam” Thomas; both parents; and an infant grandson: Justin Phillip Archibeque.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Wayside Waifs No Kill Animal Shelter in Kansas City.

Online condolences may be left at williamsfuneralchapel.net.