Bill Thomas was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, at a time when the sky was bright blue and Griffith Park was nearby to a boy who loved horses. He left college after a few years, going back later to earn his degree in business. He joined the U.S. Navy, and then transferred to the U.S. Air Force where his pilot’s training led to his life’s work, a Pan Am 747 Captain flying the Pacific Routes. Flying was one of the loves of his life; the other was his family.
In 1957, Bill married Lois in Philadelphia. Last September, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He was an exceptional father to this three daughters, Michele, Danielle and Martine. He taught them to swim, to ski, horsemanship and responsibility. He saw that all of his daughters finished school with degrees that would ensure lifetime careers.
His avocation in later life was growing grapes in a vineyard in Temecula, California, when Temecula was just beginning to be recognized as a wine region. Bill and Lois spent the last 20 years of his life in Sequim where dementia began to take hold of his life. The family is deeply indebted to Sherwood Assisted Living where Bill spent the last four years of his life. Their loving compassionate care will always be remembered.
He is survived by his wife, his daughters and his grandchildren, Evan and McKenna. While we will all deeply miss him, he is free now and with the Lord in his heavenly home. Published in The Peninsula Daily News from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 2018