Will Thurmond

William Richards Thurmond was born on the 27th of April 1968, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Ann and Gerald Thurmond, and passed away on Tuesday, the 24th of June 2025, in Houston. His parents fell in love at the University of Georgia where his mom was the captain of the majorettes and his father was the law school salutatorian. He was born for greatness.

Before Will became a world expert on biofuels, he led a charmed life as the son of a corporate oil attorney who hopscotched across the USA. Will was born into the energy business and loved it. He lived in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Houston, San Francisco, and Washington, DC on the family’s journey with Gulf Oil and Chevron.

After graduating from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 1986, Will attended Rollins College where he earned a B.S. in International Relations. College agreed with Will. He worked as a campus DJ for the college radio station and lived in the campus leadership house. Upon graduation, he returned to Washington, DC to begin his career.

Will’s first job was as a telecom industry analyst. Immediately following the fall of the Berlin Wall, Will traveled to Moscow, got robbed twice in Russia, yet still closed the deal and got home safely. He was a fearless businessman.

Will never had a better boss than himself. After working for others and “making them rich,” Will decided to open his own business, Emerging-Markets Online. He moved back to Houston and wrote BioDiesel 2020, a world-wide best-selling analysis of biofuels. He became an in-demand expert and travelled the world. Within three years, Will bought his first house in Montrose and his first Lexus 400. As the shrewd businessman that he was, he lived in his garage apartment and rented his house, all while enjoying the rich nightlife of downtown Houston.

Will was a friend to anyone who met him. He spent his full day as an energy analyst, but on evenings and weekends, he was a reggae DJ and a frequent patron of night clubs. Will had no shortage of girls chasing him. He fell in love several times but never got married.

Will was a natural athlete. He played offensive line in high school and taught kayaking at Camp Greenbriar, developing his life-long love of watersports. Will also enjoyed snow skiing, windsurfing, and disc golf. In the summers as a teenager, Will swam for Kenwood CC in Bethesda and excelled at tennis and golf camp. He was a natural. It all came easily to him.

Will cemented a bond with his neighborhood friends that lasted a lifetime. He was masterful with conversation, clever and fun to be around, and truly at peace as one of the gang. This proved beneficial later as his calling card in the energy strategy business: he was a world-class analyst who loved parties, BBQ cookouts, or pro-sport games. He literally could talk to anyone about anything.

Will’s great passion later in life was training labrador retrievers as dock dog competitors and hospital therapy dogs. Wherever Will traveled, there was a dog riding shotgun with his head out the window, looking for adventure.

Will was a life-long Episcopalian who was confirmed at St. Columba’s in Washington, DC where he was an acolyte and sang in the choir. He had a beautiful baritone voice.

William is survived by his parents, Gerald Pittman and Frances Ann Sexton Thurmond; his brother, Gerald Pittman Thurmond, Jr.; his sister, Susan Ann Thurmond; his niece, Melissa Marie Thurmond; and his nephew Sean Thomas Thurmond.

Will Thurmond will be remembered for his kindness, love of family, deep friendships, and his expertise on biofuels. RIP Will Thurmond.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 10th of July, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

At a later time, the family will gather for a private inurnment in the Garden of the Holy Cross at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston.

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