Dr. Billy Joe Thrasher, 78, retired President Emeritus of Columbia Academy and resident of Kippsford Pond Road, died Friday, September 29, 2017 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. at Anderson Field House on Columbia Academy Campus with Randy Owens, Dr. James Thomas, and Ed Higginbotham officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Bill and Barbara Thrasher Endowment at Columbia Academy to benefit students, 1101 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www. oakesandnichols.com.
Born November 2, 1938 in Decatur, Alabama, he was the son of the late Joseph Andrew Thrasher and the late Tressie McCoy Thrasher. He graduated and holds degrees from Florida College, Harding University, Vanderbilt University at George Peabody College, Arkansas State University, and received his Doctorate from the University of Arkansas. He has been in the field of education for over 40 years having served as classroom teacher, coach, and Athletic Director from grade school to Junior College level. He has been in administrative roles as assistant principal, principal, superintendent, and President in both private and public education.
Dr. Thrasher was honored as Arkansas Outstanding Educator in 1969 by the State Jaycees, is included in Who’s Who among American Educators, and a member of Phi Delta Kappa honor society. He served on the Arkansas Advisory Council for Secondary Education, the Arkansas Council on Economic Education, and the Tulsa Private School Advisory Council. He was co-captain of the 1959 Harding Football Team and a former member of the Harding Advisory Council. He was a charter member of the Board of Directors for Maury Alliance Chamber of Commerce. He was a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow and a 1999 graduate of the first Leadership Maury Class, the Vision 20/20 Board, and the Maury Technical School Board of Directors for the Nation Christian School Association and was selected as the 2006 Administrator of the Year. He was a volunteer on the Tuesday Crew at Columbia Academy and from 2014 – 2016 served as interim Athletic Director at Columbia Academy. He was a volunteer with the Maury County Boys and Girls Club of Maury County and served as Chairman of the Board in 2013.
Dr. Thrasher has been a member of West Seventh Street Church of Christ since 1996 and served as Deacon. He has preached the gospel full and part-time since becoming a Christian at the age of 17. He and Barbara have been on mission trips to Central American and Europe. After retirement in 2007, he worked part-time with EEM for several years. He was an avid collector, loved to travel, and big Arkansas Razorback fan.
Survivors include his wife, whom he married August 27, 1961, Barbara Godsey Thrasher of Columbia; children, Tim (Jana) Thrasher of Columbia; Christy Thrasher of Columbia; grandchildren, Nicole (Brock) Shadix; Natalie Thrasher; great grandchildren, Keaton Shadix; and Konnor Shadix; and his beloved dog, Oreo.
Active pallbearers will be Ken Jackson, Sonny Lee, Barry Farris, Jim Carrigan, Zach Kittrell, Mike Kesler, Marty DeJarnette, and John Kodatt. Honorary pallbearers include Elders and Deacons of West Seventh Street Church of Christ, members of Mike Kesler Bible Class, and Faculty and Staff of Columbia Academy.
The family is especially grateful and would like to express a special thanks to Maury Regional Medical Center, Dr. Jim Richardson, and Dr. John Simmons for the care they provided to Dr. Thrasher and his family.
