Willie Ray Thomas, 87, passed from this life on Sunday, November 19, 2023.

He was born June 8, 1936 in Harrisonburg, LA to the union of his parents, Rev. Willie C. Thomas and Patricia Dunbar.

He accepted Christ and was baptized by Rev. W.W. Fletcher and became a member of Christian Saint Baptist Church. He and his family transferred their membership to L&A Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Doctor Dave Mays. Willie was later ordained as a deacon under his leadership.

He attended Good Pine High School. One June 11, 1956, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and remained until June 10, 1958. On December 25, 1957, Willie married Matilda “Katie” Jenkins. To this union, they had three children, Calvin, Karen and Jonathan Thomas.

Willie Ray worked at McDougall Lumber until it closed. He then began to work for Denton Lumber along with working as a LaSalle Parish school bus driver for 37 years. After retiring the driving the bus, he started working at LaSalle Police Jury. After Willie completed each day’s work, he would mow lawns all over Jena, helping anyone he saw in need of his help.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 25, at L&A Missionary Baptist Church.

Interment followed in the Webster Cemetery, under the direction of Gayden Funeral Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother, Alla Mae; wife, Matilda; son, Calvin; granddaughter-in-law, DeErica; and brother, James.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Karen Thomas; son, Jonathan Thomas; sister and brother-in-law, Lillie and George Stewart; daughter-in-law, Linda Thomas; four grandchildren, Crystal, Ashley, Calvin Jr. and Shanice Thomas; six great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and the L&A Church family.