Chaney-Harkins Funeral Home
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice

Billy Joe Thomas, Jr., passed away April 10, 2024 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Affectionately known as Bugs, he was born on March 19, 1962, in McAlester, OK. He was the son to Billy Joe Sr. and Odessa Mae Estes Thomas and the grandson to Joe and Ona Factory Thomas. He was raised by his grandparents and grew up alongside his sister Lisa Thomas Matthews and special cousins/brothers Michael Thomas and Orlando Tasby. He was a son of God and an active member at Ward Chapel AME Church with his grandmother Ona, Lisa, Michael, Orlando and other family. As a father, he ensured his children were also active in the family church. He was a standout athlete in football, track, and wrestling. He won numerous awards and accolades and was voted by his peers as Most Athletic at McAlester High School and won All District in Football. Upon graduating from high school in 1981, he spent two years at Langston University. He soon moved back to McAlester where he and his high school sweetheart Lynda Sue Bringing Good started their family. Together, they had three children: Tara, Michael, and Tia. They also helped raise their niece Ashley Bringing Good and Shaiara Bringing Good, nephews Alex and Anthony Bringing Good and a host of other nieces, nephews, and family. Billy Joe gained employment at Boeing and worked a variety of specialty roles. He retired from Boeing (Spirit) following more than 20 years of dedicated service. He was a talented cook and was well known for his lasagna, collard greens, chili, and barbeque. All were welcome at Billy Joe and Lynda's home at Robin and Ridge. His love for Lynda, his children, grandchildren, and family were ever-so-present. He was preceded in death by his wife Lynda Sue Bringing Good, grandparents Joe and Ona Factory Thomas, mother Odessa Mae Estes Thomas, granddaughter Gabrielle Denise Thomas Jefferson, sisters Erica, Loretta and Dolores Thomas, cousin/brother Michael Thomas and aunt JoAnne Thomas Hollins. Billy Joe is survived by his children Tara, Michael, Tia; grandchildren: Treyvon, Destiny, Malique, Maleah, Christian, Amelia, Lomaria, Alexis, Dayva, M'Laysia, Mia, Desmond Jr, Natavious, Micah; special nieces Ashley and Shaiara, special nephews Alex and Anthony, father Billy Joe Sr., step-mother Carrolen; siblings Lisa, LaTonya, Margaret, Donna, Darrell (Buck), Zettie (Lashawn), Erica, Daniel (Chuck) and Joe (Kicker); cousin/brother Orlando; special cousins Gene and Steven Anderson; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Chaney Harkins Funeral Home Chapel. The burial will follow at North Town Cemetery. Pallbearers include Michael Thomas, Daniel and Joe Thomas, Darrell (Buck) Hildreth, Alex Bringing Good, and Treyvon Price. Honorary pallbearers include Billy Joe Thomas Sr., Orlando Tasby, Gene and Steven Anderson, Anthony Bringing Good, Malique Young, Christian Thomas, Desmond Goulsby Jr., Natavious and Micah Bringing Good.