Cover photo for William Henry Thurston, Jr.'s Obituary
William Henry Thurston, Jr. Profile Photo
1932 William 2018

William Henry Thurston, Jr.

September 29, 1932 — April 10, 2018

William Henry Thurston, Jr., 85, of Beaumont, passed away on April 10, 2018, at his home.

Funeral services will be 2:00pm, Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont. Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont where the Masonic Rights will be given.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00pm, Friday, April 13, 2018 at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home.

Born in Beaumont, Texas, on September 29, 1932, he was the son of William Henry Thurston, Sr. and Mable Estell (Meadows) Thurston. Henry was a lifelong resident of Beaumont and Graduated from French High School. He was an electrician by trade and a 65 year member of the IBEW local #479. He served on the executive board of the IBEW Credit Union. He was a Cashan Grotto with the El Mina Shine Beaumont Lodge #286. Henry was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Beaumont. He enjoyed listening to country music and traveling with his RV club. Henry loved Lamar Basketball in any form and was a longstanding season ticket holder.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Eugene Thurston and Bill Thurston; daughter, Valinda Welch; sisters, Nancy Miller and JoAnn McNeely and his first wife, Dorothy Thurston.

He is survived by his wife, Nelva Thurston; children, Glenda Beckett and husband, James of White Oak, Kent Welch and wife, Brenda of Buna, Vanessa Simmons and husband, Pat of Vidor, and Randy Welch and wife, Bonnie of Ohio; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; brother, Jimmy Immel and sister, Patricia Lagel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital in Galveston, Attn: Donor Development Office, 815 Market St. Galveston, TX 77550.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Harbor Hospice, especially Dr. Stout for their wonderful treatment of Henry while he was in their care.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Henry Thurston, Jr., please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, April 13, 2018

5:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home

1155 North 11th Street, Beaumont, TX 77702

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home

1155 North 11th Street, Beaumont, TX 77702

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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