Final Salute

William “Billy Ray” Thrasher
February 17, 1932 – July 5, 2021
Rogers, Arkansas – William “Billy Ray” Thrasher 89, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away July 5, 2021. He was born February 17, 1932 in Hanson, OK to Charlie and Carrie Thrasher. The family moved back and forth between Oklahoma and California several time before settling in Chowchilla, CA for Bill’s high school years.
After graduating from Chowchilla High School in 1950, and laboring in the cotton fields and orchards of California’s Central Valley, Bill Thrasher in 1951 completed his basic training in San Diego, CA and was assigned to a Seabee unit aboard the USS Shields DD596. The USS Shields patrolled the eastern Pacific Ocean making calls at ports in Hawaii, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Guam, and Hong Kong to construct and repair various Marine Corp and Naval facilities.
After being honorably discharged in 1955, Bill Thrasher resided in the Los Angeles/Hollywood area chasing starlets and working various jobs. He eventually landed a truck driving job at a fledgling company called United Parcel Service where he worked for more than thirty years.
Bill Thrasher met his future wife, Arline McGee, at a dance at the Disneyland Hotel in the early 1960s. Bill and Arline had two children: Thomas and Barbara. Bill was active in the Teamsters and other organized labor associations. He was preceded in death by his wife and three siblings.
Graveside services were held at 12:30 P.M., Friday, July 09, 2021 at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. There was no visitation.
Online condolences may be made to www.memorialfhspringdale.com

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Published by Fresno Bee on Jul. 11, 2021.