Thomas was born in Hamilton, Ohio to (Maxie (nee Blake) and Winford Quillen on May 12, 1938. He is the beloved father of Sheila Faye Quillen and father figure of Thelma Stamper; cherished grandfather of Felicia Drew and Megan (Andrew) Bekemeier; and loving grandfather of Dewayne (Emil), Rylee, Madison, Landen, Hayden and Brindlee. He is preceded in death by his wife Precilla Quillen, son Thomas Dewayne Quillen, brother John Quillen, and his parents.

Thomas married Precilla on April 23, 1959 at the Wood Station Baptist Church. Their home church became Talawanda Baptist Church when they weren't traveling for long lengths of time to establish new churches nationwide. Their missionary work took them all over the country while they lived out of their camper and focused on serving God wherever they went. When he was home, Thomas served his community for over fifty years on the Reily Township Fire Department. He was also a military veteran and honorably served in the United States Air Force.

Visitation will be held at Paul R. Young Funeral Home in Oxford on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 5-7 pm. Funeral service the following day, Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 9 am at the funeral home with burial to follow at Reily Cemetery.