Thayer Willis “Big Daddy” Seal passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Texoma Medical Center in Denison, Texas, surrounded by his family.

Thayer was born in Bogalusa to Delos Alton and Madie Flynn Seal. He was raised in Varnado and was known as “Red” when he was young. He graduated from Varnado High School where he was the quarterback for the football team. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Joyce Walker Seal. He worked his entire life at the Bogalusa mill and later the mill in St. Francisville. He was always ready to help his neighbors. His greatest attributes were his love for, and his loyalty to, his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his family and friends. After his retirement he and Betty loved to travel in their motorhome. In his later years, he loved spending time on his childhood property in Varnado. He was affectionately known as “Big Daddy” to his family.

Mr. Seal is survived by his son, Ronald Thayer Seal (Marcia) of Denison, and his daughter in law, Mary Alice Seal of Pierre Part; five granddaughters, Stephanie Seal Harmon (Mance) of College Station, Texas, Amy Seal Moore (James) of Tuscumbia, Ala., Kristen Seal Thompson (David) of Denison, Lelania Seal Clarkson of Baton Rouge, Abbey Seal Knight (Matthew) of Norwood; 10 great-grandchildren, Leemon, Madison, Benjamin, Joshua Harmon of College Station, London and Sydney Grace Moore of Tuscumbia, Mackenzie Thompson of Denison, Michael Seal of Baton Rouge, and Julia and Emma Knight of Norwood. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Linnie Rae Seal of Metairie and Mary Jane Bolton of Picayune, Miss., along with many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Joyce Walker Seal; his parents, Delos Alton and Madie Flynn Seal; his youngest son, Terry Alton Seal; and one brother, Herbert Seal.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday, March 13, at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa. Pastors presiding over the service will be Clay Norwood, Dale Clabaugh and James Moore. Interment will follow at Seal Cemetery in Varnado.

Pallbearers will be Mance Harmon, David Thompson, Matthew Knight, John Bolton, Shannon Ramsay and Charlie Fornea.

Donations in his memory can be made to Superior Avenue Baptist Church in Bogalusa, or Chapel of the Pines in Picayune.

To view and sign the register book, visit online at pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.