Clarence William “Bill” Thumma, 81, of Carlisle, PA passed away at West Shore Hospital Mechanicsburg, PA on December19, 2024. Born at home in East Berlin, PA on August 19th, 1943, Bill was the son of Donald & Claramae Thumma.
Growing up, Bill worked on the family farm in Dillsburg, PA. He worked at Carlisle Tire & Rubber for 20 years, then became a long-haul driver, working for several local freight companies over the years.
Bill was a devout Lutheran who was a member of several churches during his lifetime. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Carlisle.
Bill loved spending time with his family, taking them to the drive-in movies, carnivals, fairs, and going on picnics. He also enjoyed raising, breaking & riding horses, as well as hiking & hunting in Penn’s woods. He could fix anything mechanical & he liked building & driving fast cars, as long as they weren’t made by Chevrolet.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Kathleen Koser, & Ethel Soule; a brother Dale Thumma; a daughter Sharon Lynn Thumma; his wife Lana (Grimm) Thumma; & a step-son, Donald “Butch” Grimm Jr.
He is survived by his first wife Jean (Shoenberger); a son, Michael Thumma (Cindy); a daughter, Tracy Russell (Warren); a step-son, James Grimm (Debra); a step-daughter Juanita Calaman (Sam); as well as numerous grandchildren & great-grandchildren.
He will be sorely missed by all.
A private service will be held at the convenience of the family, with a Celebration of Life event to be held in the future.
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Thumma family.