BUDE — Services for Willie James “Billy” Thomas Sr., 53, of Natchez, who died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Sunday at St. Matthew Baptist Church.

Burial will follow at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home in Bude.

Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until service time Sunday at the church.

Mr. Thomas was born Sept. 17, 1957, in Natchez, the son of Roosevelt and Josiephine Thomas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; maternal and paternal grandparents; one son, Reggie James Thomas; and companion for a number of years, Mildred Smith.

Survivors include his wife, Luberta Thomas of Natchez; two sons, Robert James Thomas and Willie James Thomas Jr., both of New York; two stepdaughters, Daphe Ellis and Tonya Ellis, both of Memphis, Tenn.; two sisters, Sharon Upton and husband, Douglas, of Roxie and Rachel Jenkins and husband, Elvis, of Crosby; five brothers, Roosevelt Thomas Jr., Quincy Thomas and wife, Pat, Clifton Thomas and wife, Lilly, all of Natchez, Carey Thomas and wife, Danielle, of Port Gibson and Tyrone Thomas and wife, Crystal, of Michigan; two grandchildren, Natalia and Myangel Williams, both of New York; five aunts, Fannie Champs, Ruthie Watkins, both of Natchez, Deloris Mackey and husband, Shine, Jewel Q’Quinn and husband, Michael, all of Roxie, and Carne Alexander of Garden City; five uncles, Henry Sweazer, Jerry Purnell and wife, Tricia, all of Natchez, Mack Washington and wife, Joyce, Revon Purnell and wife, Marie, and Robert Lee Purnell and wife, Bobbie, all of Roxie; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.