William B. Thomas

James Bullock ("J.B.") Thomas was born on October 9, 1928 and passed away December 30, 2012. At sixteen he attended the University of Texas, where he achieved two baccalaureate degrees: (1), a bachelor in biology, before he served four years in the Air Force pursuant to the Korean War, and (2) in civil engineering, upon his return four years later in the military. J.B. joined NASA in 1963. He worked for them in various capacities until his retirement in 1980.

During his four year service to his country, J.B. completed 100 combat missions and was the recipient of one Oak Leaf Cluster of the Distinguished Flying Cross and another Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

His survivors include his sister, Nancy Brown and her husband Gaylon Brown of Austin and his children and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by the mother of his children, Virginia Wood. Their children are, chronologically: (1) Janet Wilhelm and her children, Sara and her husband Randy Eubanks, Cody Thomas and Jenna Wilhelm (2) Joanne Thomas Duncan and her husband Richard Duncan and their children, Korri Duncan, Turner Duncan and Connor Duncan and (3) Mike and his wife Carol Thomas and their children, Angie and Warren Bujol and John Thomas. He had one stepdaughter, Carla Janousek. There are also two grandnieces and one grandnephew. J.B. is also survived by two maternal aunts, Helen Metro of Buckingham, VA and Norma Slaughter of Kearney, NE as well as several cousins.

Services were held on January 4,2013.