George (Bill) Willard Thomas

George (Bill) Willard Thomas obituary, Burnsville, MN

George (Bill) Willard Thomas

George (Bill) Thomas Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 19, 2025.
Obituary for George (Bill) Willard Thomas

It is with a heavy heart to announce the death of my Dad; Bill (George) Thomas. He had struggled with dementia for many years but still was able to keep his sense of humor and love till the end on May, 6th, 2025 at the age of 98. His goal was to get his letter for his 100 Birthday from the President of the United States but couldn't quite make it.

George Willard (Bill) Thomas born 1/26/1927 in York, Pa. Proceeded in death by his parents George Washington Thomas and Ruth Jeanette Lukens Thomas and his sister Doris Sauble.

He is survived by his wife Juanita (Nita) Anne Vinson Thomas of 78 years, Daughter Lynn Thomas Hoffman, son George Willard Thomas Jr. Grandchildren, Faith Calvin (Thom), Jason Nelson, Deborah Thomas, Joseph Thomas and Steve Thomas (Alexis). Great Grandchildren, Caigen Calvin (Clover), Harleigh Calvin Rempfer (TJ), Alexis Clendenen (Mitchell)and Scotlyn Thomas.

George (Bill) graduated from York High and went into the Navy. He was stationed in Adak, AK till the end of the war and then went home to York to marry Juanita (Nita) Vinson 2/6/1948. He started school at Gettysburg College to get his Masters in Chemistry and Physics.

After school they moved to Panama City, Fl. Where he was employed as a civilian physicist for the Navy. He enjoyed sailing his Sailfish, diving while working for the Navy and working with the Sea Explorers. They had Lynn and George and shortly after George's birth he was recruited by a man who became his life long friend Gerry Stewart and moved to Corona, Ca. where he worked at FMSAEG (Fleet Missile Systems and Evaluation Group aka "The Lab") in Norco. There, he invented and patented a camera system to capture missiles in flight through photography. In his spare time, he enjoyed square dancing with the local club, The Missile Twisters, alongside Nita, who skillfully crafted their coordinated partner outfits. In the early 70's, The Lab sold him their small Microfilm Service's bureau in Corona. He took early retirement from the Lab to start this new chapter.

Questioning if his film was going to be Archival he began investigating and was able with his knowledge in chemistry to start testing their customers film samples to determine if they were producing archival quality film. This test called the Methylene Blue Test took off like crazy as many of the Cities, Counties and States along with the smaller and larger Labs wanted to either have him test their film or purchase the chemicals from him. They were so busy he sold the Service Bureau and concentrated on just Quality Control. At the trade shows they attended he became know as "the Microfilm Doctor"

because of his white lab coat and extensive knowledge in Microfilm. With the birth of MicroD International he and Nita were able to travel to most all the states, Canada, Mexico, South America, the Caribbean and Europe giving lectures and demonstrations. He published a comprehensive handbook called The Thomas Handbook of Quality Control to help Lab Tech's better understand the process of maintaining Archival Microfilm.

In the early 1980's Bill and Nita moved the business to Burnsville, MN. to include their daughter Lynn. There they played a pivotal role helping raise Lynn's kids and Grandkids. When the Calvin's moved to Colorado, Bill and Nita moved back to California to Little Rock and then Lancaster to enjoy George, Kathy and their children. They remained there till shortly before Covid stuck and then moved back to Minnesota to stay with Lynn and their grandson Jason.

Bill will be remembered for so many things: his kindness, love of family, generosity, Faith, intelligence, wit and pretty blue eyes; but his craftiness was legendary. Every year there was a new project from candle making, painting, decoupage, Styrofoam assembly, Christmas ornaments, woodworking, wood burning, string art and in the end coloring Christmas cards. Last but not least, my Dad could fix anything with his hot glue gun and duct tape. Have we got stories!

There will be a small gathering of his Children and Grandchildren to Celebrate his life and toast to Dad/Grandpa Bill with a can of Root Beer and send our Love to him in Heaven.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign George (Bill) Thomas's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

May 22, 2025

Merrilee Gae Howard posted to the memorial.

May 21, 2025

Lorena posted to the memorial.

May 19, 2025

Lisa Wilks posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Merrilee Gae Howard

May 22, 2025

98 years old!  Wow! I love that Bill wanted the letter from the president.  That sounds like Bill!  He had a good sense of humor which certainly contributed to Bill and Dad´s close friendship. That and both being physicists! [from Jerry Stewart´s son Tim Stewart, submitted by his oldest sister Merrilee]

Lorena

May 21, 2025

What a lovely eulogy for Bill. You are blessed.

Lisa Wilks

May 19, 2025

There is no one I respected more than Uncle Bill. He was the most intelligent person I have ever known, in addition to being humble and soft spoken.
It was always an exciting time when he and Aunt Nita came to PA to visit. My kids remember him fondly and talk about how much they enjoyed visiting with them.
He will always be remembered with a smile.

Merrilee Howard

May 19, 2025

Sending love to Bill´s wife Nita and daughter Lynn and son George and all members of their extended family from Gerald and Audrey Stewart´s kids and their extended family.
A Christmas Eve tradition growing up in Corona, Bill and Nita and Audrey and Jerry (who lived right across the alley in a newly built neighborhood in the `50s) would get together after putting gifts under their respective Christmas trees before turning in for a few hours sleep before the opening of gifts on Christmas Day.
Years later Bill and Nita agreed to take a puppy from the litter of Aero and John, two Afghan hounds belonging to Merrilee (Jerry and Audrey´s oldest) and her husband Marty that they delivered while on a road trip to SoCal from Oregon when Marty was in his first year of graduate school at University of Oregon in 1971-1972.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in George (Bill) Thomas's name

How to support George (Bill)'s loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor George (Bill) Thomas's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign George (Bill) Thomas's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

May 22, 2025

Merrilee Gae Howard posted to the memorial.

May 21, 2025

Lorena posted to the memorial.

May 19, 2025

Lisa Wilks posted to the memorial.