Willie D. "Sonny" Thomas I

A home going service, celebrating the life of Willie D. Sonny Thomas I, age 75, of Newark, will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home withPastor Daniel Harrisofficiating. Burial will follow at Newark Memorial Gardens.Friends may call at the funeral home, 179 Granville Street, Newark on Monday, July 11, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.Willie was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on November 11, 1940 to the late Albert Laws and Mary Elizabeth (Garland) Thomas, who survives. He went to be with the Lord on July 4, 2016 at his residence.Willie graduated from Newark High School, Class of 1958. Prior to retirement, he was a computer systems analyst for 30 years with the Newark Air Force Base. He was past district president of the American Federation of Government Employees; was a multi-gallon blood donor with the American Red Cross; and was a YMCA youth football coach. He was a former member of Moundbuilders Elks Lodge # 821 (which he gave up to follow Christ). He was a member of Rhema Christian Center in Columbus. Among other ministries, he was a part of the inaugural class to graduate from the Majoring In Men Ministry, as a commissioned facilitator.Willie enjoyed bowling and golfing and was a member of Burning Tree Golf Course. He was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan and Cleveland sports fan. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family, especially while traveling and cruising, where he climbed Dunns River Falls in Jamaica at age 65. He was a devoted husband of 53 years, son, father, grandfather and great grandfather.In addition to his loving mother, survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Kathryn (Shackleford) Thomas, whom he married December 14, 1963; children, Willie George Thomas II, Lawrence Larry Thomas, Mary Ella Ellie Thomas and Samantha (Nelson) Peralta; grandchildren, Erica, Anestassia, Shantel, Ashlee, Joshua and Nelson Javier; great grandchildren, Deandre, Tatiana and Anthony; brothers-in-law, Samuel (Sheryl) Shackleford, Jr. and Daniel (Marie) Shackleford; sisters-in-law, Esther Thompson, Geneva Black, Rebecca (Kenneth Sr.) Black, Brenda Greene, Deborah (Glen) Bower and Gloria Jean Shackleford; many sons and daughters of the heart; plus a host of other family and friends.He is preceded in death by his fathers, Albert Laws and Randle Thomas; aunts, Adeans and Virginia; uncle, Rufus; eight grandparents; sisters-in-law, Peggy Mathews, Helen King and Cynthia Shackleford; brother-in-law, Raymond Herbert Shackleford; two brothers-in-law; and five nephews.Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Willie to the American Red Cross. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service is honored to care for Willie and the Thomas family.