William "Bill" Thomas

William "Bill" Thomas Lake Worth, FL Formerly of Lansing Born March 23, 1932 in Kingsford, MI (U.P.), the son of Henry E. and Estella (Haughton) Thomas, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 18, 2011. Bill graduated from Kingsford High School in 1950, earning letters in football (Captain and All Conference, First Team), basketball and track. He served four years in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict, with the final 16 months in Okinawa. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1958, the same year he married the love of his life, Roberta Harrington, the 3rd female officer on the Lansing Police Department. Bill worked for the State of Michigan for 32 years, retiring in 1991 as Director of Business Services of Social Services. He was a member of Holy Cross Parish for over 40 years. At the time of his death he was a member of St. Michael's in Remus, MI and St. Luke's in Lake Worth, FL. Bill was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Richard Council #788 and the Bishop Albers Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He belonged to the Catholic War Veterans, VFW Post #701 in Lansing, VFW Post #47 in Lake Worth, FL and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Stanwood, MI. He loved "wearing of the green" and being with family and friends, especially the old "Mooser Gang" in Lansing. "No man is the whole of himself, his friends are the rest of him." B Bill was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Joseph; sisters and brothers: Margaret (John) Brey, Lloyd Thomas, Jeanne (Edward) Baxter, H. Edward Thomas and Dorothy (Lee) Kuder. He is survived by his wife, Roberta "Bobbie"; sons: son, Robert (Barbara) Thomas and their sons, Jack and Joe of Minneapolis, MN; son, James (Jeanine) Thomas and their children, Samantha, Nicole and Michael of Lansing, Daniel (Chris) Thomas and their children, Dean and Doug of Grand Ledge and daughter Jacqueline (Jeane) Royale and their daughters, Ginny, Tori and Katie of Charlotte. He is survived by his sister, Ellen (Roger) Schmiedeknecht of Whitehall, MI; sisters-in-law, Ramona Thomas of Winter Park, FL and Patricia Boyd of Albany, NY; and numerous nieces and nephews. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Cathedral with Rev. Fr. Bernard Reilly and Rev. Fr. Maurice Hayes OFM CONV as concelebrants. Rite of committal will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Palmer Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Delta Chapel, 6020 W. Saginaw where the Vigil Service will be prayed at 7:30 pm. Visitation continues Thursday at the church beginning at 9:00 a.m. Memorials can be made the Lansing Columbian Assoc (LCA) or to a charity of your choice. Condolences can be made at www.palmerbush.com.