William Lidell Thetford

William “Pete” Lidell Thetford passed away on Thursday July 21, 2022 at the age of 80 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 9:00 AM in Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

Pete was born December 17, 1941 in Graham, Texas to the late Robert Carl Thetford and the late Francis Viola (Gathings) Thetford. Pete grew up in Graham and married his high school sweet heart Bonnie Lou (Johnson) Thetford on October 24, 1959. He was 17 and she was 15 at the time of their marriage. Pete started roughnecking for his father-in-law, Clinton Ray Johnson for the E&H Drilling Company once they were married. He continued roughnecking until he was hired on with Hexcel. Pete spent many years working for Hexcel Corporation in Graham until the plant in Graham was closed and he was transferred to Phoenix, Arizona and continued working for Hexcel to finish out his career when he retired at the age of 70 with 46 years of service with the company.

Pete enjoyed fishing and camping with his family, playing his guitar and singing to his children, watching the Green Bay Packers, going to the movies on weekends with his grandson, eating Blue Bell ice cream and he also prided himself on cooking out wonderful steaks for his family to enjoy. He was a quiet man but loved his family dearly.

Pete was survived by his wife Bonnie Lou (Johnson) Thetford of Phoenix, son Clinton Sherrell Thetford of Lubbock and wife Rayanne, son Grady Dale Thetford of Wichita Falls and wife Sheila, daughter Tareasa Gayle (Thetford) Adair of Graham and husband Mark, son William Matthew Thetford of Phoenix and wife Karen, son Timothy Joseph Thetford of Phoenix, grandson Jacob Mathias Thetford of Phoenix, and by 16 other grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. Pete was also survived by his brothers James “Ronnie” Ronald Thetford of Lewisville and Robert Carlton Thetford of Wichita Falls. Sisters Wanda “Wendy” Sue Grubbs of Graham and Phyllis June Vanhooser of Bryson. 

Pete was preceded in death by his father Robert Carl Thetford, mother Francis Viola (Gathings) Thetford, brothers Richard Dean Robie and Arlen Lee Thetford, granddaughter Caitlyn Brooke Thetford and great grandson Jace Holland.