Mr. Willie Thomas was born and raised in Forney, delivered by Dr. Christine Walker at his grandfather’s house. Growing up, his grandpa instilled in him a strong work ethic to “do the best you can at everything you do”. Never one to shy away from hard work, Willie eventually attended Forney High School and practiced football daily, while working a couple of jobs washing dishes and helping at the cotton gin in the evenings and at night and still pitching in on the farm. All in all, he was giving his best, and that was what his family had hoped for from him. “My grandpa – he was also named Willie Thomas – was who raised me,” Thomas recounts. “And he was really proud of me.”
With graduation approaching, he first planned to forego attending college and continue working. But an influential teacher in his life, Mrs. Helen Griffin, was one who saw Willie’s potential and encouraged him to consider college. Heeding her advice, he set his sights on a football scholarship, but it sadly fell through, putting Thomas back to square one. After meeting a recruiter at FHS, Willie Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1974.
Working on tanks, Thomas was stationed in five different states. He served in the Army for two years and followed it up with another 23 years in the Army National Guard, eventually retiring in 1999 as a Sergeant First Class. While in the Army National Guard, his platoon primarily trained to assist the army if needed and to serve within the U.S. in the event of a disaster or a need to aid law enforcement. Over his decades of service, Willie says it reinforced many things his grandpa had already taught him: discipline, respect, and how to make it on your own. “Service was a whole piece of me. I had never even been on an airplane until I left here in 1974,” he remembers. “Everything started falling into place.”
While dedicating much of his time and energy to the Army National Guard, he never lost sight of his passion for football. After his first two years in the Army, Thomas began attending the University of Texas at Arlington and was a walk-on for the football team. His time as a starting linebacker opened doors for many exciting opportunities, including the chance to coach linebackers at UTA and even try out with the Houston Oilers. “It was amazing for me to do that, but I grew up here. I’m a local boy,” Thomas humbly comments.
As of three years ago, Thomas retired from a thirtyyear career at GM in Arlington. He is the proud father of three children, grandfather to 4, and great-grandfather of three. Throughout the many experiences he’s had in his life, Thomas maintains a modest outlook. “I was a farm boy, the first person to graduate in my family and get a high school degree and to go to college,” he says. “But I had support. You can’t do it on your own.”
Thomas says the Armed Forces was a great thing for him, giving him finances, education, and friends. “I wouldn’t change anything. I was blessed to be in the service. If you served our country, I’m proud of you.” He adds, “And even if you didn’t, I’m still proud.”
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