Nelson "Bud" E. Thomas

Born November 25, 1939 in Pekin to Nelson H. and Lucille A. (Combs) Thomas, he married Susan A. Gray on May 29, 1970 in Pekin. They celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary in 2021. She survives.

Also surviving are one sister-in-law, Carol (John) Witts of Mason City; two brothers-in-law, Rex Gray of East Peoria and Jerry (Chris) Gray of Pekin; three nephews, Donald (Michelle) Thomas of DeKalb, Ryan (Erin) Witts of San Jose and Nathan (Heather) Gray of Pekin; two nieces, Melissa Thomas of Pekin and Danelle (Scott) Berry of Delavan; three great-nieces, Maddie, Aliya and Mia and one great-nephew, Ryan. He also leaves his little Pug, Lucy.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Donald W. Thomas.

He was a 1957 graduate of Pekin Community High School and was a graduate of Illinois Central College.

He joined the United States Navy on March 17, 1958, where he worked as an aviation electrician on the aircraft carrier, Ticonderoga for two cruises to Japan. He was discharged on March 17, 1962.

In 1964, he began employment for CILCO as a meter reader and worked there until 1978. He then went to work for the City of Pekin as a wastewater employee and worked there until he retired.

Nelson was a friend to almost everyone he met and he kept those friendships his whole life. He enjoyed traveling and also riding motorcycles.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Stephen D. Barnes will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral at the funeral home. Burial will be in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Military Rites Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com