Thomas Williford

Thomas Eldridge Williford Mr. Thomas Eldridge Williford, age 75, slipped peacefully into the loving arms of his Savior on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis, NC. Thomas was born April 6, 1937 in Benson in Johnston County, NC and was the son of the late Ollie Thomas Williford and Tazzie Boyd Williford. Thomas attended Henderson Business College and Wesleyan College in Norfolk, VA. He also served in the National Guard. He enjoyed a long and successful career in the retail/wholesale food industry. A natural born salesman, Thomas never met a stranger. He served as a Retail consultant to the Food Editor with The Virginia Pilot – Ledger – Star. He also served on the The Virginia Beef Council and the NC Pork Producer Council. He was an active member of The Gideons, Stanly North Camp. He was a member of New Bethel Lutheran Church. Thomas and his wife, Jill, developed a business, The Velveteen Rabbit, which allowed them to pursue their mutual interest of collecting and selling antiques. He particularly enjoyed this time in his life when he could spend his time with Jill, meeting new friends and selling antiques. Thomas loved his family, especially his two grandsons. Thomas is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Jill Ridenhour Williford; his son, Kevin T. Williford and wife Edith of Greensboro; his grandsons, Jonathan T. Williford and Patrick H. Williford; his sister, Priscilla W. Finch and husband H. Thomas (Tommy) of Durham; his brother-in-law, Jerry Ridenhour and wife Virginia of Concord; nephews, Marty T. Finch and wife Beverly; Stephen Ridenhour; nieces, Melissa Dement and husband John; Mollie Ridenhour Manolakis and husband Basil; great nephew, Jarrett T. Finch; great nieces, Megan Finch, Morgan Ridenhour, and Katerina Manolakis. The family expresses heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Tucker Hospice House of Kannapolis for their devoted care. A service of celebration and thanksgiving of Thomas’ life will be held on Tuesday, June 19, at 4:00pm at Hartsell Funeral Home Chapel, 522 North 2nd Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:30pm prior to the service at the funeral home. The Committal will be immediately following the service at New Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery, 21746 Rogers Road, Richfield, NC, 28137. Memorials may be made in Thomas’ honor to: The Gideons, Stanly North Camp, PO Box 585, Albemarle, NC, 28002 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC, 28081.