More detail on this person: Billy John
Thrasher, of Katy, Texas passed away peacefully
early on January 16, 2014, surrounded by his four
children, surviving Joan, his wife of 63 years, by
just 12 days. Billy was born in Holdenville,
Oklahoma on April 7, 1930. He was raised by his
adoptive parents, John and Pearl Thrasher, until
they passed away at an early age. Billy then grew
up in the Masonic Home in Guthrie, Oklahoma until
he joined the U.S. Army at 18.
Billy proudly served his country as a member of
the U. S. Army; retiring in 1978 after 30 years of
service. He will be remembered by those with whom
he served as a "soldier's soldier." Shortly after
enlisting he attended parachute school and
immediately completed the most difficult training
to graduate in the first class of U. S. Army
Rangers. Billy's Ranger unit was deeply involved
in the Korean War, where he served as a rifleman,
and received the Purple Heart Medal among
numerous other honors and medals. Billy entered
as a private, was later commissioned as a
lieutenant and retired as a full colonel. He is
best remembered by his military associates for his
logical thought process and sincere compassion for
his fellow soldiers, particularly those in need of
understanding and leadership. Billy's service in
Vietnam as both a helicopter pilot and battalion
commander proved his worth as an outstanding
army officer. He later served a command at the
regimental level and performed duty on the U.S.
Army staff in Washington, D.C. Colonel Thrasher
will be remembered for his love of family, concern
for those with whom he served, and friendship
towards those who were fortunate enough to know
him.
Known affectionately as "Poppy" to his family,
Billy will also be remembered for his integrity,
humor, deep compassion for others, selflessness,
and true dedication to family, especially in
taking exceptional care of his wife Joan during
her long illness. Billy always said he hoped to
live only one day longer than Joan.
Billy is survived by his four children: John and
his wife Chris, and her children Mark and Carissa;
Lisa and her husband Craig; Lori and her husband
David; and Gaye and her husband Dayton;
grandchildren Jason, Blair, Corey and his wife
Jen, Erick, Megan, Jordan, John, and Madison; and
by his great-grandson, Colton. We are forever
grateful for the example of unconditional love
that Mimi and Poppy exhibited daily, and are
comforted by the knowledge that they are together
again after only a brief absence, which is as it
should be.
A memorial service will be held at Memorial Oaks
Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston,
Texas 77079, on Monday, January 20, 2014 at 10
am. Wayne Eberly of Pines Presbyterian Church
will be officiating. Interment will be at
Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers,
the family asks that you consider remembering
Billy through a charitable contribution to The
Brookwood Community, 1752 FM 1489, Brookshire,
Texas 77423, 281-375-2100. We would like to
express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has
loved and given care to Billy. We are forever
grateful for the tremendous support and
encouragement of friends and family through
prayer, visits, meals, calls and other acts of
love and concern.
Published in Houston Chronicle on Jan. 19, 2014
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association