William Joseph Thames Obituary

William "Billy" Thames.

William "Billy" Thames passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, at the age of 42, surrounded by family and friends at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, Washington, after a courageous, nearly six-year battle with metastatic melanoma and leptomeningeal disease (LMD).

Billy was born on February 18, 1984, in Vancouver, Washington. He was a husband, father, veteran, son, brother, and friend who lived a life defined by adventure, hard work, and service to others.

Billy attended several high schools in southwest Washington, before leaving school to help his mom haul crab along the West Coast, and later earned his GED.

He proudly served in the United States Army from 2006 to 2012 as a 19K Tanker, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E-5), and deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. A highly decorated combat veteran, Billy took great pride in his service and in the soldiers he served alongside. He carried the values of service, loyalty, and brotherhood with him long after leaving the Army. His military service remained one of the experiences he was most proud of and an important part of who he was.

Billy's work and adventures took him in many directions over the years. In high school, Billy's FFA project grew into a fully-fledged family business, where he helped raise more than 300 Yorkshire pigs. It was an early example of the work ethic, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit that would define much of his life.

Billy also worked in the canneries of Astoria, Oregon, hauled crab from Canada to Los Angeles, was a land surveyor for a heavy highway construction company in Oklahoma, worked on the oil rigs in North Dakota, worked as a camp host in the Wenatchee National Forest, served as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation technician, was a car detailer, worked at a potato processing plant, and built pole-barns. He later helped fellow veterans as the first Veteran Service Officer for Chelan County.

One of Billy's most memorable chapters was his time in Monster Trucks. Racing for his foster brother's team, he helped build, repair, maintain, and haul the trucks while also competing behind the wheel. At just 15 years old, he was one of the youngest Monster Truck drivers in the sport, earning the nickname "Billy the Kid.".

Over five years of racing, Billy drove numerous Monster Trucks all over the United States, including Carolina Crusher, Unforgiven, Trouble, and Troublemaker, to name a few. He loved the competition, the travel, the camaraderie, and the machines. Monster Trucks were not just a job to him – they were a way of life and one of his greatest passions.

More than any job title, Billy was devoted to his family. He shared nearly twenty-two years with his wife, Renee, whom he married on June 24, 2006, building a life centered on love, laughter, adventure, and raising their children. Their story began in August 2004 in a Les Schwab parking lot, where Billy was helping display a Monster Truck – an ordinary moment that became the beginning of a lifelong, chaotic love story.

Billy is survived by his wife, Renee Thames; his children, Laine Thames (12), Sienna Thames (18), Devany Thames (19) Josiah Moore (22), and Parker Moore (23); his father, Jonathan Moore; his siblings, Heidi Wheatley (George Wheatley), Russ Goff (Karen Brown), Larry "Ben" Thames (Chelsea Thames), and Levi Miner; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and fellow veterans.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jacqueline Thames; his brother, Lucas Thames; and his sister, Stephanie Thames.

Billy was also deeply loved and supported by Renee's mother, Tina Tidd, who played a steady and meaningful role in his life, along with her family, who remained an important part of his extended support system over the years.

In 2020, Billy was diagnosed with service-connected melanoma. He faced the disease with determination and courage through surgeries, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, clinical trials, and TIL therapy, along with countless setbacks. Through it all, he continued making memories with the people he loved.

In 2022, shortly after Billy was declared to have no evidence of disease for the first time, Billy and Renee made a life-changing decision. Believing life was too short to wait for "someday," they sold their home in Wenatchee, bought a truck and fifth wheel, loaded up their three children still at home and their three dogs, and set out to travel the country.

What began as a leap of faith became one of the greatest adventures of their lives. Together they traveled across the United States, making memories, collecting stories, and building friendships that became family along the way. Their favorite destination was the Florida Keys, where they watched the sunrise and sunset over the water each day.

Billy loved hunting, fishing, camping, road trips, working on anything with a motor, and spending time with family and friends. He was always ready for an adventure and rarely sat still for long.

Billy was also an avid believer in Sasquatch. He collected Sasquatch and Bigfoot memorabilia of every kind. He hand-carved and painted large wooden Sasquatch cutouts and secretly placed them throughout campgrounds, bringing surprise and joy to those who found them. He loved the mystery, the stories, and the possibility that Sasquatch might really be out there waiting to be found.

Whether he was exploring the outdoors, sitting around a campfire, or heading down a road just to see where it led, Billy never lost his sense of curiosity and adventure.

Billy was a teacher in the everyday moments of life. He taught his children to be independent, to work hard, and to pursue whatever brought them happiness. He made sure his family knew how to set up, tow, maintain, and troubleshoot an RV, passing along knowledge he believed everyone should have. He never missed an opportunity to pass along a life lesson, whether his children recognized it in the moment or not. He loved them fiercely and wanted the best for each of them.

Those who knew Billy will remember his humor, generosity, determination, and ability to make friends wherever he went. He packed more adventure into forty-two years than most people do in a lifetime.

Though his passing leaves a tremendous void, Billy's legacy lives on through the family he cherished, the veterans he served, and the many lives he touched along the way.

In his final weeks, Billy shared one last piece of advice that reflected the way he lived his life.

Don't just drive through life, experience it. – Billy Thames.

Celebration of Life.

A Celebration of Life honoring Billy will be held on July 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the Clear Creek Lodge at Thousand Trails Leavenworth.

All who knew and loved Billy are welcome to attend. In true Billy fashion, the celebration will be one big camping trip to send him off. Guests wishing to stay overnight are welcome to book a campsite at Thousand Trails Leavenworth or bring an air mattress or cot and join in the gathering.

The family looks forward to sharing stories, laughter, memories, and a campfire with all whose lives were touched by Billy.

In Lieu of Flowers.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Billy's memory to NCW Vets Serving Vets in Wenatchee, Washington, or to the Semper Fi & America's Fund. Both organizations provided invaluable support to Billy and his family during some of their most difficult times.

Those wishing to support the family directly may do so through.

Zelle: (509) 699-9329.

Cash App: $RThames37.

Venmo: @ReneeThames37.

Meal Train: https://mealtrain.com.