William (Billy) Thomas Thigpen Jr.

MACON – Major William (Billy) Thomas Thigpen, Jr., 64, died Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mabel White Memorial Baptist Church with burial and Military Honors in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Joe McDaniel, the Rev. Lee Shepherd, the Rev. Jesse Richardson and the Rev. Len Woodard will officiate. The family will meet friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Friday at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Pio Nono Avenue. Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, 5671 GA Highway 122 East, Hahira, GA 31632-2025.

Major Thigpen, son of the late William Thomas and Bonnie Lee Phillips Thigpen, was born in Soperton and lived in Macon most of his life graduating from Willingham High School in 1965. He served honorably with the U. S. Marine Corps for four years during the Vietnam Conflict and attaining the rank of Sergeant (E-5). Major Thigpen worked as a Teller and Loan Processor with Georgia Bank and Trust Co. before joining the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department in 1971. He graduated from Macon Junior College in 1978 with an Associate Degree in Political Science. In 1980, Major Thigpen graduated from the University of Louisville, School of Justice Administration after being nominated by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department and chosen to attend by the University of Louisville Selection Committee.

Continuing his education, he graduated from the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigation Academy, Washington, DC in 1982 and served as a special agent (Office of Special Investigations) United States Air Force Inactive Reserves, assigned to Warner Robins Air Force Base with top-secret security clearance. In 1995, he was nominated by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department for Officer of the Year Award and was selected by members of the Macon Exchange Club.

Major Thigpen served on the Child Abuse Protocol Committee, the Family Domestic Violence Task Force Committee and on the Drug and Alcohol Task Force Committee. Major Thigpen was nominated by the entire Board of Bibb County Commissioners to serve on the Bibb County Civil Service Board. He was totally committed to his community and the people of Bibb County serving diligently until his retirement in 2001.

Major Thigpen was a member of Mabel White Memorial Baptist Church where he served as an Usher. For many years, he was an avid supporter of Bloomfield Little League and Girls Softball. Major Thigpen was the brother of the late Jean Lund who died in 1986.

Survivors include his son, William Thomas “Champ” Thigpen, III (Charlene) of Warner Robins; his daughters, Kellie Thigpen and Jennie Thigpen, both of Macon; two grandchildren, Justin Thigpen and Katelyn Thigpen; his niece, Debra Wells of Macon; his cousin, Barbara Cosenzo of Macon.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Services, Pio Nono Avenue has charge of arrangements.