Obituary
Guest Book
1923
2012
Thurman G. Binkley Sr., 88, passed away March 12, 2012 at Springwood Care Center of Forsyth. He was born May 21, 1923 in Yadkin County to the late George D. Binkley Sr. and Mattie Hennings Binkley. Mr. Binkley was preceded in death by his wife of sixty eight years, Mary Hege Binkley. Mr. Binkley attended John W. Hanes High School and Wake Forest School of Business. He was employed by Hanes Hosiery in 1945. He retired in 1988 from the Sara Lee Corporation after 43 years of service. He was the Superintendent of the Finishing Department.
He is survived by 4 sons, Thurman Jr. (Bookie) of High Point, Rodney and wife Susan of Clemmons, Robert (Rob) and wife Kathy of Cornelius, Daniel and wife Joan of Winston-Salem; one daughter, Martha and husband Matthew Martin of Greensboro; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren; and one brother, James (Jim) Binkley of Dobson. In addition to his parents and wife, Thurman was preceded in death by one sister, Dixie Horton and 3 brothers, Thomas Binkley, Eldon Binkley, and George Binkley Jr. all of Winston-Salem.
Mr. Binkley served in the Army/AirCorp in World War II from 1943 to 1945. He was a member of the Flying Tigers in the 14th Airforce. He was a trained aircraft engineer and Gunner on a B24. He flew 52 combat missions in China. Mr. Binkley received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, China Service Medal, and Bronze Star. After his military service he became a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying his own plane.
He loved sports and excelled at baseball when he was young. He played semi-pro ball, and on the Hanes Hosiery teams of the forties and fifties. After he retired he began playing golf and received trophies for making four holes in one. Later in his retirement he enjoyed gardening and raising boar goats.
He and his wife Mary were members of Fair Oaks Chapel for over 40 years.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, March 15 at 7 pm at Vogler & Sons Funeral Home, 2951 Reynolda Road with pastor's Thomas Shelton and Andy Hylton officiating. Visitation with family and friends will be immediately following the service. A private family graveside service will be held Friday morning at Forsyth Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
The family would like to recognize the staff of unit 4 at Springwood Care Center and the rehabilitation/restorative staff for the excellent end of life care they provided for Mr. Binkley.
Online condolences to www.frankvoglerandsons.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
September 10, 2012
Audrey Spainhour
I will miss your smile and everything wonderful about you thank you for taking care of me. Your great grand daughter
Audrey with love
September 10, 2012
Audrey Spainhour
I will miss you so much thank you for taking care of me. Love you much,
Audrey
March 16, 2012
Denise Sparks Prince
Bookie, I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. You and your family will be in my prayers. May the memories of his long, well-lived life remain with you forever. My condolences.
March 16, 2012
Veronica Hutchins
Love and Prayers go out to all the family during this time of grief and loss! Bookie was a classmate at Hanes High School. God Bless you all!
March 15, 2012
Harold Wood
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief. Having the opportunity to work with some of Mr. Binkley's children has been a blessing to me and a testament to this amazing man and the strong family that he and wife Mary raised.
March 14, 2012
Virginia Lowe
Mr. Binkley was my supervisor when I worked at Hanes Hosiery. I remember him as a kind person. I remember his son Bookie from Hanes High. I also graduated there. What a life he had....he made his mark on this world.
March 14, 2012
Thurman was a great neighbor and a dear friend to us. We will miss his smile, kind words, and humorous stories. He always kept the neighborhood supplied with fresh veggies from his garden. We have been blessed to have had Thurman and Mary as our friends.
Stacey, Mary, Andrew, and Mary Kate Kiger
March 14, 2012
Phillip Spainhour
Rest in peace Papaw Binkley, you will be missed.
Love,
Phillip, Laurie and Audrey Spainhour
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