Wilbur D. Thomas

Wilbur D. "Bill" Thomas, Jr., 87, passed away on July 7 at home. He was the husband of the late Eleanor R. (Loudon) Thomas.

Born in Washington, D.C., the son of Wilbur D. Thomas, Sr. and Beulah M. (Hiteshew) Thomas, Bill earned his bachelor's degree at Muskingum University. His professional career included executive positions with Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Fleet Bank, Drake Beam Morin, and executive search firm, The Search Alliance. For 30 years, Bill was choir director at the First Congregational Church in Canton. He also performed with many choral and orchestral groups, and held multiple lead roles in musicals staged by Canton Benefits.

Bill loved aviation and the community of lifelong friendships he found through flying. In addition to being a private pilot, he built and flew two airplanes. Since 1980, he played a key leadership role in the growth and success of the annual Simsbury Fly-In.

At the heart of Bill's world was his family. He radiated steadfast love and kindness as a husband, father, father-in-law, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Bill leaves his son Stephen and his wife, Laura; his daughter, Debra, and her husband, John; and his son Kenneth and his wife, Pamela. He was the proud grandfather of nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves his nieces, Mary Ann Viveiros and Janet Berlincourt, both of Mayfield Heights, Ohio.

The Thomas family is grateful to Charlotte Morgan for the care and companionship she provided Bill this past year.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 8, 4:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Canton Center. In lieu of flowers, Bill requested that contributions be made to the Music Fund at the First Congregational Church of Canton Center or the Simsbury Airport Association, PO Box 375, Granby, CT 06035.

For full obituary, please visit Legacy.com.