William Harold “Turkey” Thomason, age 84, of Leitchfield, KY passed away Wednesday, (March 11, 2026) at Owensboro Health Twin Lakes in Leitchfield.
He was born on October 22, 1941 in Duff, KY, the son of the late Albert H. and Emily Louise Burnett Thomason.
A proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Turkey accomplished many things in his life. He worked diligently as an active Insurance Agency Manager of Kentucky Farm Bureau for 60 years. He began his service to the community in 1977 as a member of Leitchfield City Council, upon which he served proudly for 36 years – only missing one meeting in all of that time.
In 1994 he served as interim Mayor after Sherrill Watson’s illness, soon thereafter becoming Mayor when Watson stepped down. He proudly served the county in that capacity for 23 years and 9 months, retiring in 2018.
He was a founding member of the Leitchfield Lion’s Club and American Legion Post 81, was the first person appointed to the Board for Citizens Bank (now Wilson & Muir), was a lifelong member of the Leitchfield United Methodist Church. He was the oldest living member of the Grayson County Fair Board and was instrumental in establishing the American Legion Post 81 Veteran’s Memorial Park in 2016.
In what little spare time he had, he enjoyed restoring vintage Chevrolets, and collecting baseball cards and other memorabilia. An avid sports fan, he proudly supported the Grayson County Cougars and University of Kentucky – particularly their basketball team.
As anyone who knew him was aware, he loved his animals. From the ducks at the city park, to the strays that came through the Leitchfield Animal shelter, he was never shy about petting the animals – especially when it came to his dogs, Marley and Ceasar, and his cats Tommy, Reagan & Peaches.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carolyn Johnson Thomason of Leitchfield; a daughter, Shauna Lynne Thomason of Leitchfield; a son, Patrick Shane Thomason (Ashlee) also of Leitchfield; five grandchildren; Beckam Cooper, Hudson Cooper, Flynn Cooper, Khelan Patrick Thomason & Elliott Shayne Thomason; a sister, Georgia Mae Williams of Selma, IN; a niece, Natalie Cooper and several great nieces and nephews. Many special surrogate family members, including Kim McGrew-Britt, Teresa Musick, Chris Key, Timmy Pierce and their families, and the ladies at Farm Bureau and City Hall also survive.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sarah Jane Thomason and a brother-in-law, Joe Williams.
Funeral services will be at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, (March 17, 2026) at The Rock in Leitchfield, located behind Leitchfield United Methodist Church. Pastor Jordan Hunter and Shane Thomason will be officiating. Burial will be in the Walnut Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be at the Dermitt Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday and will move to The Rock on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Leitchfield Animal Shelter, Fix Grayson County, American Legion Post 81 Honor Guard or the Leitchfield United Methodist Church.
