In Loving Memory of Willie Lee Thomas

Sunrise: May 3, 1943 Sunset: January 12, 2024

Willie Lee Thomas was born on May 3, 1943, to the union of Howard Thomas and Elizabeth McFarland Thomas, in Winnsboro, LA. When Willie was 3-years old, his brother Jessie moved him to Tacoma, WA to live him and his wife Mary. He joined his sisters, Emma and Thelma, who had already moved to Tacoma three years earlier. Willie attended school in Tacoma, and Seattle, WA, and upon graduation he joined the Marine Corp. He was stationed in Los Angeles, the Philippines, and Hawaii while he served.

He worked the carpet industry, also worked for Sears for many years prior to his retirement. He was very enthusiastic about older Volkswagen cars, and spent quite a bit of time working on them. He was a very good mechanic.

Willie was preceded in death by: his parents Howard and Elizabeth, his siblings, Jessie Thomas, Frank Thomas, Otha Thomas, Dank Thomas, Robert Thomas, Mary Taylor, and Thelma Sparks.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his daughter, Shandala Watson, Las Vegas, NV, son, Justin Thomas, Bremerton, WA, sisters, Emma Thomas Cotton, Seattle, WA, Mamie Freeman, Houston, TX, and brother, Howard Thomas Jr., San Bernadino, CA., and multitudes of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, numerous relatives and friends, whom he all loved and cherished.

The Wake will be held at Columbia Funeral Home, 4567 Rainier Ave So., Seattle, WA 9818, on Friday, January 26, 2024 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Funeral Service will be held at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1634 Dr. S. McKinney Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122 on Saturday, January 27, 2024 1:00 p.m.

The Burial will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042 on Monday, January 29, 2024 12:30 p.m.