William Thomas

William Thomas, age 89, died peacefully on April 19, 2016 at his home. William was born on October 6, 1926 in Manchester, Connecticut; the son of George and Mary Paliou. William's family lived in Elizabeth, New Jersey and he moved to Detroit in 1953. On September 20, 1953 he married Katherine Manos at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Detroit. Mr. Thomas was a chef. During WW II, he served his country as a baker in the US Army. When he returned home, he worked at many restaurants in the Detroit area including Fisher's, the Georgian Inn (where he was also an owner), the Sand Trap at the St. Clair Shores Golf Club and the Round House. He retired from cooking in 1988 and worked for twelve years with the Wayne State University Parking Authority. When Bill retired at age 62, he and Katherine traveled the United States in a motor home. Eventually they purchased a home in Fort Myers, Florida where they spent the winter months. Bill's hobbies included Lionel Trains, building model airplanes and cars, collecting toy banks, guns and ceramics. He turned his ceramic hobby into a small business called BK Ceramics and Bill and Katherine taught ceramics in their basement. He always carried a pocket knife. Bill was actively involved in the Moslem Temple Shrine and was a proud supporter of the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Tampa, FL. For many years he worked at the Shrine Circus and was a Keystone Cop in parades. William is survived by his children, Thomas (David Duyck), Andrea Nichols, and Denise (Donna Miller). He was the loving Papou of Andrew (Pasha) Miller-Thomas and Alexandra Miller-Thomas; the brother of Irene Polyviou and Marino Thomas. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Katherine in November 2015; his daughter, Maria Echols and brother, Stratis Thomas. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 9:00 pm on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at the A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue at Vernier Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. His body will lie instate at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Road, St. Clair Shores from 9:30 am Wednesday until the funeral begins at 10 am. Interment will follow at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East in Clinton Township. The family has suggested memorials be made to either the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Road, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 or Shriners Childrens Hospitals, Office of Development 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.