Their love story will never end…..On April 13th, 2018 Our Beloved father, grandfather, husband, great grandfather, and friend, William E Thames Sr. (Bill) left this world to join his beloved wife of 63 years, Edelweiss Jones Thames, and his son, Billy (William E. Thames Jr) in heaven. He was born June 7, 1936 to Mary Louise James Thames, and Walter F Thames Jr. in Bibb County (Macon, Georgia). He grew up in Macon and graduated from Lanier Senior High School and attended Mercer University. While working at Snow Laundry in 1953, he met and fell in love with his coworker, Edelweiss Jones, the love of his life. The couple married on December 24th, 1955, and so the love story of a lifetime began…The couple later had three children, Teresa Anne, Mary Catherine, and William E Thames Jr, (Billy). While serving thirteen years in the Georgia National Guard he worked at Armstrong Cork Company, Transco, and for many years as plant manager at Bibb Manufacturing Company. In 1969 the family moved to High Point, NC so William could take advantage of opportunity to be manager at Indian Head Hosiery. In 1973 he went on to be part owner in a garment company. During his childhood, the family spent time at the family cottage in St. Simons Island Georgia. He and Edelweiss always looked forward to family gatherings whether for just a meal, or a family birthday. Christmas time was always a big affair and the more time spent with his family, the more he looked forward to it! William adored his wife and children, and a little later in life he loved spending time with his grandchildren. Whether it was a simple trip to city lake, or an excursion to Carowinds, or a trip to the beach, he looked forward to those times. He worked hard all his life to support his family. In later years after he retired, he enjoyed helping Edelweiss with a home day care. He got to the point where he looked forward to seeing the day care children as much as she did! He was predeceased by their son, William Jr. (Billy) on December 26th, 2016, his beloved Edelweiss on January 29th, 2018. His parents, Walter F Thames Jr and mother, Mary Louise James Thames, great Aunt, Annie Dru James Thames. He is survived by daughter, Teresa Thames Johnson, (Terri) of High Point NC, Mary Catherine (Cathi) Lawler and her husband Tom of Walnut Cove, NC. Grandchildren, Alana Guthrie and her husband, Raymond, Ray P Guthrie Jr, his wife, Marci, Jacob Wesley Johnson, Jeffrey Vernon Johnson and his wife, Amanda, James Thomas Johnson and his wife, Angie, Danielle Thames, Elizabeth Thames, William Thames III, Nathan Thames, and Sarah Thames. Great grandchild, Emily Jo, daughter of Ray P Guthrie III and Marci Guthrie, Logan and Harper Johnson, children of James Thomas and Angie.
Gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday April 21, 2018 at 4:30pm at Sagebrush Steak House in Kernersville, NC. For reservations contact Cathi Lawler 336-480-7847.The family would like to express our gratitude to Hospice of High Point for the love and care our parents both received. The family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice of The Piedmont, specifically Hospice House High Point in the name of William, and or Edelweiss Thames in lieu of flowers.
Family graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Macon, Georgia on June 8, 2018 at 4PM.
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