Thomas "T.S." Samuel Williard

Thomas Samuel Williard, Jr. ("T.S."), of Statesville, NC, passed away at the age of 90 in his home on March 10, 2016.  He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Doris Marie Goforth Williard, and two children, Thomas Samuel Williard, III (wife, Robin) and Tandra Williard Thompson (husband, Robert).  T.S. and Doris have eight great grandchildren by their six grandchildren, Tandra Michelle Thompson Lintz (and Dennis), Tamara Williard Payne, Robert Thompson (and Hong), Robert Thomas (and Melissa), Ramon Thompson (and Carol), and Matthew Williard.

Born in Winston Salem in 1925 to Thomas Samuel Williard and Martha Crotts Williard, T.S. became a decorated WWII veteran after volunteering to the Army Air Force in 1943, earning 5 campaign stars while completing 43 missions in the South Pacific as a nose gunner of a B-24.   He was a charter member of Faith Baptist Church in Statesville, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, taught Sunday School, was a Boy Scout Leader and RA Leader, and sang in the choir.   He loved to travel as much as possible and stayed very active with his lifetime membership to Lakewood Golf Course and bowling for 43 years at Pla-Mor Lanes.  T.S. retired from Suburban Propane in Statesville and also owned a local repair business.

Visitation for the family will take place at Faith Baptist Church in Statesville on Sunday March 13, 2016 beginning at 1:30 pm, prior to the funeral service at 3:00 pm.  The service will be conducted by Reverends Douglas Goforth and Steve Parks.  Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Hospice of Iredell County, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.  Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.