Chief Master Sergeant Windell Lee "Dub" Thomas passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, at 82 years of age. Mr. Thomas was a 1951 graduate of Ooltewah High School and a member of South Seminole Baptist Church of East Ridge. Mr. Thomas was successful in his military career. In less time than most, he achieved the highest non-commissioned rank of Chief Master Sergeant in the USAF. He served as inspector general which only the best in their career field attain. During the Vietnam War, he served in Southeast Asia three times. He was proud of his service to his country and his family is proud of him for it. Mr. Thomas was a respected, loved mentor as a Little League baseball coach and took his team to the state finals. He was a story teller and his family loved to his hear his vivid, colorful stories affectionately calling him Chief Full of Bull. He loved his family with a passion and they loved him with that same passion. He will be missed with great heartfelt emotion! He was preceded in death by his wife, Reaita Lou Chambers Thomas.

He is survived by his wife, Alma Ashley Hood; his two sisters Ina and Geneva; his children Monte Thomas and wife, Caren; Craig Thomas; Mark Thomas and his wife Kathy; Joy Thomas; his grandchildren, Brandon, Leah, Whitney, Courtney, Paul, Chad, Chance and Tanner; his great-grandchildren, Emaleigh, Gavin, Jade, Zayna and Beckett.

Graveside service with Military Honors will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Green Hill Cemetery withRev. Larry Sorah officiating. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Monday, January 13th at Bordwine Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the American Cancer Society, C/O Faye Forgety, 120 Co. Rd. 447, Athens, TN 37303 or the Alzheimer's Association, Mid-South Chapter, 7625 Hamilton Park Dr., Suite 22, Chattanooga, TN 37421.