William Gordon Thomas

William Gordon Thomas
June 5, 1931 - December 24, 2025

William "Bill" Thomas left the stage on December 24, 2025. A "rascal with a cause," he was born in Hollywood, California in 1931, the only child of Ernest Leslie Thomas and Marion Louise Thomas.

Bill met the love of his life, Diane Ruth Thomas, in the third grade. He was the class clown at that time; she was the teacher's pet.

Following their graduation from Hollywood High School in 1949, they enrolled at Occidental College. After their freshman year, the Korean War intervened, and Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Bill and Diane married in 1951, and Diane joined him at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada. After his discharge from the Navy in 1954, Bill earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Theater Arts at UCLA while working at Desilu Studios, where he rubbed shoulders with Lucy and Ricky. Then, like his father, he worked as a stage manager and theater director and loved it.

When Diane learned they were expecting their fourth child, she issued Bill an ultimatum: choose the theater or choose the family. He chose the family and took great pride in being a devoted father to four sons. Bill returned to UCLA, earning a doctorate in education. He boldly sought out the director of the UCLA Placement Center, talked his way into an internship, and ultimately rose to become the Center's director. During this time, he authored the first of five books, Overseas Opportunities for American Educators.

In 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War, Bill accepted a position as Dean of Students at San Fernando Valley State College (now California State University, Northridge). On occasion, he would come home and explain to Diane that he did not get much done because students had again taken over his office—so regularly, in fact, that he kept snacks and drinks on hand for them.

Then he got what he thought was his dream job, President of Johnston College. But the politics of the day worked against him, so he joined the Los Angeles Community College System, this time to head a unique 10th virtual college - a "College without Walls." Unfortunately, politics intervened again, and Proposition 13, the anti-tax revolt, cut the entire initiative. He then joined the faculty of Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, teaching English and literature, and concluded his academic career teaching English and drama at Saddleback College.

After their move to San Clemente in 1996, Bill and Diane became deeply engaged in civic life. As chair of the city's Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission, Bill helped establish the Foundation for Beaches, Parks, and Recreation, which became a model for similar organizations throughout California. He was named San Clemente Citizen of the Year in 2007 and Volunteer of the Year in 2008.

At home, Bill was forever juggling four or five projects at once. A natural leader, he gravitated toward leadership roles not only in higher education but also in youth sports, coaching many of his sons' baseball, basketball, and track teams. He was always present to provide support, organize disorganized boys, and offer advice even if his boys were not ready to receive it. He was selfless and tireless when it came to helping others, whether it was as President of the Northridge Western Boys Baseball Association or organizing events and fundraisers. He loved making fun of himself and others in a never-ending quest to get a laugh. He also loved traveling and meeting new people. Family travels included two years living in Germany and travel in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Alaska.

Bill enthusiastically supported the lives, careers, and community service of his four sons and their spouses—Gregory (Mary), Mark (Meghan), Scott (Chayree), and Christopher (Amanda)—and his ten grandchildren: Jennifer (Noah), Ian (Clarke), Erin, Zander, Summer, River, Christopher, Abby, Roscoe, and Shayla. He was predeceased by his parents and wife, and is survived by his sister, Patricia Thomas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation for Beaches, Parks, and Recreation at www.friendsofsanclemente.org, or to the Les Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund at the El Camino College Foundation (www.elcamino.edu/departments/foundation). Condolences or questions, [email protected].