William Jesse "Bill" Thrift Jr.

William “Bill” Jesse Thrift, Jr. departed this life Monday, July 7, 2025. He is predeceased by his parents, Emma and Jesse, and brother Charles. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jessie Foster Thrift, daughter Leslie Thrift Jackson and son-in-law, David, his sister Katherine Milby, niece Angela Landes and great nephew Austin Landes. Along with his nurse, Amy Parker Kelly, who took amazing care of him the last year of his life.

Bill was born September 28, 1943 in Richmond, VA and grew up in Remlik. He attended Middlesex County Public Schools. After graduating he served two years of active duty in the U.S. Army and four years in the Reserves. Upon returning he worked for Norton Food Company for 16 years. He then worked as a foreman at Pitts Lumber Company for 36 years.

Most know him as fire chief of the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department and served as such for 34 years. He joined at 18 years old in 1962 and remained a member until his passing. Bill spent countless hours serving his community and one of his greatest accomplishments was helping grow the MVFD to what it is today. He was one of the original members of the Middlesex County Emergency Services Committee and had a pivotal role in bringing 9-1-1 services to the county.

He was a member of the Urbanna Masonic Lodge No. 83 and served as Worshipful Master from 1989-90 and in 2015. Bill served as the District Deputy Grand Master of the 11th Masonic District from 2003-2004. He was also the treasurer of the Urbanna Masonic Lodge for several years.

Bill served on the Urbanna Town Council for 16 years. He had the honor of being the Grand Marshal of the 1999 Urbanna Oyster Festival. Bill was an avid NASCAR fan, enjoyed playing golf and cruising through Urbanna on his golf cart.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, at New Hope United Methodist Church, 2489 E. Lewis B Puller Memorial Highway, Saluda. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 71, Urbanna, VA, 23175.

Faulkner Funeral Homes, Saluda Chapel is assisting the family.