Name: Willie Lee Thomas Date: Feb 14, 1924  -  Oct 07, 2009 Obituary: Thomas, Willie Lee 85 of Sarasota, Fl., died on Oct 7, 2009. A native of Williston, Fl. ,he moved to Sarasota from St. Petersburg and was employed with the Pinellas County School System for 24 years and with Winn Dixie Grocery Store of St. Petersburg He was a member of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and the Joy Riders Motorcycle Club; and served in the US Army during World War II. Survivors, wife ,Elouise Thomas; sons,Willie Lee Thomas,Jr and Rev. James Dion Smith,Sr.; daughters ,Mary Alice Gray(Cornelius), Chauntini Anderson, Patricia and Willie Mae Thomas, Jody Rushing,Barbara Thomas and Tresia Smith(David);, sister, Elizabeth Law Johnson(Harold); 28 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren;other relatives and friends Memorials: Cemetery: Florida National Cemetery Bushnell, Florida , Map / driving directions Visitations: Friday, October 16, 2009, 4-8pm, family will receive friends 7:15pm at Smith Funeral Home. Viewing Sat. 12 noon until service time at the church , Map / driving directions Services: Saturday, October 17, 2009, 1pm- New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church 1717 18th Avenue South, St. Petersburg,Florida Reverend Troy Adams, Pastor, officiating , Map / driving directions