William V. Thomas, 96, of Eaton, passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2016, at his home in Marion, Indiana.

William was born October 10, 1919 in Marshall, Michigan to the late Fred and Ethel (Adams) Thomas. William was a WWII United States Army Veteran and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. William was a farmer and an iron worker. He retired in 1982 from LeFere Forge in Jackson, MI. He was affiliated with the Christian Church of Eaton. William enjoyed gardening and lawn care.

William is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Donna Thomas; seven children, Verlin Thomas of Jackson, MI, Jesse Belcher (wife Vickie) of Fairmount, Carol Rudd of Albion, MI, Nancy Coulter (husband Al) of Albion, MI, Kathy Devine of Marion, Donna Belcher of Marion, and Lisa Moon (husband Rob) of Fairmount; a brother, Douglas Thomas of Jackson, MI; 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

William was preceded in death by three children, Joann Haverty, Lora Jones, and Charles Belcher Jr.; and several brothers and sisters.

A funeral service to celebrate William''s life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, August 1, 2016 at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 N. State Road 3 in Muncie, IN. Pastor Penelope Brown will officiate with military honors conducted by the Veterans of Delaware County Honor Guard. Cremation will follow services with burial of ashes in Gardens of Memory Cemetery at a later date.

Friends and family may gather to share and remember from 12:00 noon until 2:00 P.M. Monday, August 1, 2016, at Garden View Funeral Home.