William R. "Billy Bob" Thomas

William Robert “Billy Bob” Thomas was born in Hamburg, Iowa on July 17, 1946 to V. Max and Virginia “Jenny” (Kirk) Thomas. He attended school in Tarkio, and then graduated from Rock Port High School.

On March 5, 1967 he married Janet E. Hughes, and they became parents of two children. They later divorced.

Billy Bob worked as an electrician, farmer, and also as a bulldozer operator. He moved to Texas for a few years in the early 1970’s before returning to Rock Port.

Billy Bob passed away on Friday, April 12, 2013 at a Tarkio healthcare facility.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Cindy Thomas, and daughter Tricia Thomas, all of Rock Port; brother, Max Lee Thomas of Rock Port; sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda and Tom Erickson of Coin, Iowa and Pam and Roger Harris of Lincoln, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Brentlee Thomas, Tyler and his wife Kayla Thomas, Jordan Thomas, and Christian and Matthew Hance; and nieces and nephews.

Billy Bob was a member of the First Lutheran Church. He enjoyed woodworking.

Services were held Wednesday morning at 10:00 am at the First Lutheran Church in Rock Port. Family greeted friends following the services. A private family inurnment will be held at Greenhill Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the William R. Thomas Memorial Fund, to be donated to a local charity.