William Lee Thomas

William "Lee" Thomas, 88, of Bloomfield, passed from this life and went to heaven. he was born May 16, 1926, in Afton, Texas, to John Matt Thomas and Rachael Arminda Attaway. Lee was raised with two brothers and three sisters, by his mother and step-father Stillwell Lester "Red" Powell in Dickens County, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines during World War II. After he was discharged he moved to the Farmington area and worked in the oil field and in construction. He helped in the building of schools and many other projects in the Four Corners area, including the Browning Parkway bridge. Lee had owned a television repair shop in Bloomfield. He enjoyed being outdoors and working with wood.
Lee's family would like to express their thanks to the staff of San Juan Regional Medical Center and especially the staff of the Step-down unit for their kindness, caring and compassion.
Lee was preceded in death by his wife Vera E. Thomas; daughters, Linda Dannar and Valerie Thomas; parents, John Matt Thomas, step-father Stillwell "Red" Powell and Rachael Arminda Thomas and his brothers, John Thomas and Valton Thomas.
He is survived by his daughter, Leona (Steve) Bernard; step-children, Billy (Jackie) Schneider, Kathy Schneider, David (Lucy) Schneider and Margaret Warren; sisters, Mozelle Jackson, Maxine Pederson and Galia Lewis; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the First United Methodist Church, 123 E. Chaco Ave. in Aztec, with Pastor Jeff Symonds officiating.
Lee's care is entrusted to Cope Memorial Chapel of Aztec, 405 S. Main Ave., 505-334-9332.