William "Bill" Thomas

Age 76, passed away late Friday night, February 10, 2023. Bill was born in Kalamazoo on August 11, 1946, the son of Harold James and LaNeta Belle (Lutz) Thomas. On June 2, 1966, he married the love of his life, Sharon who survives him. He graduated from Comstock High School in 1966, and attended technical schools which prepared him for a career in marine mechanics. Bill was a familiar face at several boating and sporting goods retailers including, Boat City, Schau & Powell, and Wilkinson’s. His last employer was Flowtech Corporation. Bill was a passionate outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing and trap shooting. He was a life member and had served as President of the Kalamazoo Rod and Gun Club and was very active in the development of the club. He was also a member of Ducks Unlimited. Later in life, his 1972 Chevrolet Nova became his passion, and he spent hours restoring it, working on it and bringing it to shows. Bill was drafted by the U.S. Army, and served, but it was not until later when he realized how proud he was to do so. After returning from a tour in Viet Nam in 1969, he served in the U. S. Army Reserves until 1974. Besides his wife, Bill is survived by his sons, William “Bill” (Heather) Thomas Jr., Mark (Holly) Thomas and Chad (Jennifer) Thomas; grandchildren, Blake Thomas and Shawn Owen; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends; Bill was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Donald Perkins, Darold Perkins, Dixie Cox, Pat Key and Harold Thomas Jr.