Thomas David Willmorth

1962 - 2025

Boise - If the world feels like it's lost some humor, you're not imagining things. Tom Willmorth, an incomparable comic genius and beloved Boise actor, has taken his final bow. He passed peacefully with loving friends and family by his side, on January 5th-a decade after his diagnosis with early-onset dementia, during which time he continued to bring love and laughter to all who knew him. A loving husband, adoring father, devoted son, brother, and uncle, true friend, and maker of merriment, Tom not only touched lives but made them better.

Tom was born to Josephine (Jo) Lee Willmorth (née Steelsmith) and John Harold Willmorth in Boise, Idaho. The third of four children (Mike, Trisha, and Kathy), Tom grew up in Caldwell, Idaho with his family. Family legend proclaims that his prolific career in the performing arts began in his childhood, when he was creator, director, and actor in sibling theatrical works. In 1981, he graduated from Caldwell High School. In these years he was especially inspired by theater teacher and mentor Anna Marie Boles.

In February of 1991, Tom received a slightly delayed Valentine's Day present: the birth of his daughter, Katie Rose Willmorth. Katie became his beloved pride and joy from that day forward. She followed her father's path into acting and directing, and he always beamed with admiration at her brilliance, talents, and accomplishments. He was overjoyed when Katie met her loving partner, Will Sarratt, also an actor, and delighted in their marriage. Tom left our world with Katie's voice and words of love still in his ears.

Tom married the love of his life, Christina Lang, in 2003; they shared 33 magical years together and were inseparable. Favorite moments included acting together, seeing Katie's plays, enjoying Yahtzee and crosswords on the patio in warm weather, and cozying up by the fire to watch classic films in cold seasons. Hosting summer poker nights, Oscar parties (complete with trivia contests and prizes), and New Year's Eve gatherings were just some of the ways Tom and Christina opened their home and hearts to friends and family. Christina was at his bedside holding his hand as he peacefully passed away.

Tom's professional life began early and covered many facets of theatre and education. Tom worked as an actor with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival beginning at age 16; he continued doing so for most seasons during the next 35 years. He pursued his theatre degree at Carnegie Mellon University, graduating in 1986. He then moved to Chicago, training at The Second City and working extensively with the improvisation/comedy troupe The Illegitimate Players, co-authoring and performing in many of their parody productions.

Tom returned to Boise in the early 1990's, resumed working with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and began a teaching career. Over the next 20 years, he became a beloved fixture in Boise's theater scene, and he taught and inspired students at Vallivue High School in Caldwell and Capital High School in Boise. Several of his students went on to have successful careers in theatre and film. One, Ira Amyx (now of Chicago), became family, along with his wife (Angie Gaffney) and son (Simon Thomas Amyx), whom Tom and Christina adore as a grandson.

As a playwright, Tom scripted four commissioned plays for Idaho Theater for Youth, including one presented at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC as part of its Imagination Celebration for young audiences. The premiere production of his play Shakespeare's King Phycus won the coveted Chicago theater Jeff Award for Best Ensemble and was nominated for Best New Work in 2011. For 22 years, Tom and fellow Idaho Shakespeare Festival actor, Joe Golden, created a Boise institution as The Greenshow Guys, performing original comedy routines that prepared and delighted audiences nightly before ISF plays. During that time they became the best of friends and co-created The Fool Squad, bringing their Greenshow-style comedy to boardrooms, living rooms, commercials, videos for Idaho Public Television, and everywhere in between.

Tom is preceded in death by his mother Jo and his brother-in-law Sam Stone. He is survived by his wife Christina Lang, daughter Katie Rose Willmorth (Will Sarratt), father John Willmorth, siblings Mike Willmorth (Krista), Tricia Stone, Kathy Clark (Andy), and many beloved aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Plans for a celebration of Tom's life are in the works. Details will be posted in the coming weeks. Farewell, Good Partner.