Arlie Wilmer Thomas, 91, retired Master Sergeant United States Air Force of Jacksonville Arkansas passed away September 6, 2023.  He was born December 16, 1931, at the family home on Thomas Road, Bismarck Arkansas. Arlie was the son of the late Patrick Henry Thomas and Ola Mae Loy Thomas of Bismark, Arkansas. In addition to his parents, Arlie was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years Frankie Mae Ray Thomas; brothers, James Cecil Thomas, Floyd Wilburn Thomas, Coy Mendrel Thomas, Kenneth Henry Thomas; sisters, Juanita Cora Herein, Onita Amanda Coward, Margie Ozee Thomas, Loraine Dorothy Walker, Athalee Meyers, Terica Mae Herron; and grandson, Philip Anthony Thomas.

Arlie was a 1951 graduate of Bismarck High School where he played football and basketball. On his Father's Birthday, May 22, 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  After completion of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, he was assigned to a six-month Communications Equipment Tech School in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Directly out of school Arlie was assigned to Head Quarters 3rd Air Force Communications Squadron, in South Ruislip, England.

While on vacation en route to England, Arlie fulfilled his pledge to retrieve his "Lil' Wild Rose", Frankie Mae Ray, as his bride. Later that year Frankie joined Arlie in England where their first two daughters Beverly Ann (1952) and Mary Kathalene (1953) were born. While stationed at Nouasseur Air Force Base near Casablanca, Morocco, their son Patrick Arlie (1960) was born.  In 1967 while stationed at Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, a little "Georgia Peach" Dorothy Arlinda was born. After 20 years of service, with assignments in five foreign countries and several states, including Hawaii, he retired from the United States Air Force.  He then called Jacksonville, Arkansas home.

Arlie worked for Automatic Grade Light Manufacturing Company (AGL) in Jacksonville, Eight-Wheels Skating Rink, and Dillard's Executive Travel Agency in Little Rock. In September of 1987, he retired at the age of 57, and started the most rewarding job of his life: building Frankie's new retirement home. He loved woodworking; as well as making lamps, various trinket boxes, and other items. He also enjoyed making quilts with Frankie and working with the food pantry ministry at Maddox Road Baptist Church.  He loved to grow fresh vegetables, and blackberries that he would use to make jelly and blackberry wine. His all-time most rewarding and favorite hobby was beekeeping.  He Loved his fresh honey with Frankie's homemade buttermilk biscuits.

He is survived by his children, Beverly Thomas of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Kathy Hester of Arlington, Texas, Patrick (Melissa) Thomas of Jacksonville, Arkansas, and Dorothy (Kerry) Tabor of Beebe, Arkansas; grandchildren, Rebecca (Josh), Jonathan (Melissa), William, Pamela, Benjamin (Talor), Matthew (Kayla), Kasey (Justin), and Kenzy; ten great-grandchildren; four great-great grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 30, 2023 with visitation one hour prior, at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home.