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TACAMO Fallen - Willie Lee Thomas
- 19 hours ago
- 2 min read
March 26, 1943 – April 11, 2026
Willie Lee Thomas, 83, of Hampton, Virginia, passed away on April 11, 2026.
Willie was born on March 26, 1943, in Andalusia, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Dorothy Mae Thomas; his mother, Sarah Lee Porter Green; his father, Willie Thomas; and his stepfather, Rev. Issac Green Sr.
Willie proudly served in the United States Navy for 28 years, retiring as an Aviation Chief Petty Officer. He was a Vietnam and Persian Gulf War Veteran and a devoted, longstanding member of the Prince Hall Freemasons.
Willie was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He found great joy in cooking, entertaining, fishing, gardening, watching NASCAR, and playing cards. He will be remembered most as a man of integrity whose strength of character left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
He is survived by his former wife, Phyllis Marie Thomas; his children, Rodney Aloysius Thomas, David Lee Thomas, Cheryl Maria Hawkins, and Tonya Teresa Thomas-Gray (James); and his grandchildren, Avery (Glenn), Spencer, Jaevon, James Jr., Jaedan, and Jaeda. He is also survived by his siblings, Priscilla Woods, Ralph Green, Issac Green Jr. (Brenda), Willa Thomas-Blake, Elizabeth Jackson, and James Thomas; his extended family, the Hughes; his lifelong friends, William and Jacqueline Hawkins; his devoted caregiver, Roannette Spain (Ro); and a host of other family and friends.
Willie’s legacy of integrity, service, and love will live on through his family—a testament to a life of strength, honor, and devotion. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to friends, caregivers, and medical staff for their love and support.
There will be a time of visitation on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 10-11 a.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk. His funeral service will follow the visitation and begin at 11 a.m. He will be laid to rest in a committal ceremony with military honors in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Please visit his webpage at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com to leave a note of condolence to his family.
The TACAMO Community extends its sympathy and prayer for peace to Willie Lee's family and friends during this time of passing.
Willie was great friend and super flight engineer. Willie and I flew a lot of fight hours performing many test on the Tacamo airplane for TACAMO upgrades. Along with J.J Caruso, John Philips, Larry Gnepper, Lt Shade, LT Howerton, and LT John. We spent time orbiting for 8 hours, daily testing of different equipment. Willie and I (Woody as he called) were such gat friends. I'm sorry for your lost.
Thanks Willy for your friendship and mentoring to me when I 1st arrived to the TACAMO community (VQ-4). You where the person that everybody trusted and you where always there to help anybody that needed a little encouragement. RIP now my friend.
Fair winds and Following Seas Willie. It was great serving with you in VQ-4.