Obituary for William "Bill" Thomas
William “Bill” Covington Thomas, of Concord passed away peacefully at his home on November 16, 2022.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 19 from 1:30 to 2:45 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church. A funeral service will be held at 3 pm with Rev. Keith Copeland officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Bill was born on January 18, 1938 to Brack Wilson and Jessie Covington Thomas in Rockingham, North Carolina. Bill graduated from North Carolina State University in 1960 with a Bachelor in Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career with J.N. Pease Associates in Charlotte. His dream of owning and operating his own business was realized in 1981 when he and Lucy opened Concord Builders, Inc. where he proudly served for over 35 years as President and CEO.
Bill married his beloved wife, Lucile “Lucy” Ritchie Thomas at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Concord on June 29, 1968. Lucy was not only the love of his life and best friend, but also his business partner. In their 54 years of marriage, together they made many lasting memories, created a devoted family, and successfully operated the family business.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lucy; one son, William Ritchie Thomas and wife, Ellen; two grandsons, William Stephen Thomas and Nicholas Scott Thomas and fiancé, Erin. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Jean Thomas Way and brother, Brack Wilson Thomas, III both of Rockingham; nephews, Buddy Lee Way, Jr. (Jennifer), Michael Thomas Way (Mica), and Christopher Mark Thomas (Kerre); six great nephews, and four great nieces; brother-in-law, Henry Ritchie (Barbara), and sister-in-law, Sue R. Ritchie; and fourteen very special Ritchie nieces and nephews as well as many great nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, B.W. and Jessie Thomas, brother-in-law, Buddy Way, sister-in-law, Alice Thomas, nephew, Brian Thomas, brother-in-law, Wade H. Ritchie, Jr., sisters-in-law, Dorothy R. Fulbright and Jo Carolyn Rowe, and Wade and Virginia Ritchie, Father and Mother-in-Law.
A Southern Gentleman, Bill was a true, loyal man who possessed an amazing soul with an extra-large heart who gave of himself always going above and beyond to help others. In all aspects of his life, his word was his bond. Through the years, Bill was grateful for past and present employees and worked diligently earning their respect and loyalty. Employees were always special to him and treated more like family than employees.
He was a dedicated family man who was happiest when surrounded by his family, cheering on the NC State Wolfpack, enjoying family beach trips, gathering with extended family on special occasions, or working with construction equipment The love that he had for all of his family; especially his grandsons, Stephen and Nicholas, was immeasurable. Family was always of utmost importance to Bill. He always gave generously of himself never expecting anything in return and is now resting in God’s loving arms and has happily accepted a “management position” in his heavenly home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 100 St. John’s Church Road, Concord, NC 28025 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 19 from 1:30 to 2:45 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church. A funeral service will be held at 3 pm with Rev. Keith Copeland officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Bill was born on January 18, 1938 to Brack Wilson and Jessie Covington Thomas in Rockingham, North Carolina. Bill graduated from North Carolina State University in 1960 with a Bachelor in Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career with J.N. Pease Associates in Charlotte. His dream of owning and operating his own business was realized in 1981 when he and Lucy opened Concord Builders, Inc. where he proudly served for over 35 years as President and CEO.
Bill married his beloved wife, Lucile “Lucy” Ritchie Thomas at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Concord on June 29, 1968. Lucy was not only the love of his life and best friend, but also his business partner. In their 54 years of marriage, together they made many lasting memories, created a devoted family, and successfully operated the family business.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lucy; one son, William Ritchie Thomas and wife, Ellen; two grandsons, William Stephen Thomas and Nicholas Scott Thomas and fiancé, Erin. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Jean Thomas Way and brother, Brack Wilson Thomas, III both of Rockingham; nephews, Buddy Lee Way, Jr. (Jennifer), Michael Thomas Way (Mica), and Christopher Mark Thomas (Kerre); six great nephews, and four great nieces; brother-in-law, Henry Ritchie (Barbara), and sister-in-law, Sue R. Ritchie; and fourteen very special Ritchie nieces and nephews as well as many great nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, B.W. and Jessie Thomas, brother-in-law, Buddy Way, sister-in-law, Alice Thomas, nephew, Brian Thomas, brother-in-law, Wade H. Ritchie, Jr., sisters-in-law, Dorothy R. Fulbright and Jo Carolyn Rowe, and Wade and Virginia Ritchie, Father and Mother-in-Law.
A Southern Gentleman, Bill was a true, loyal man who possessed an amazing soul with an extra-large heart who gave of himself always going above and beyond to help others. In all aspects of his life, his word was his bond. Through the years, Bill was grateful for past and present employees and worked diligently earning their respect and loyalty. Employees were always special to him and treated more like family than employees.
He was a dedicated family man who was happiest when surrounded by his family, cheering on the NC State Wolfpack, enjoying family beach trips, gathering with extended family on special occasions, or working with construction equipment The love that he had for all of his family; especially his grandsons, Stephen and Nicholas, was immeasurable. Family was always of utmost importance to Bill. He always gave generously of himself never expecting anything in return and is now resting in God’s loving arms and has happily accepted a “management position” in his heavenly home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 100 St. John’s Church Road, Concord, NC 28025 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.