CLAFLIN — William P. “Bill” Thomas, 93, died Nov. 11, 2024, at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home, Little River, Kan. He was born on Oct. 7, 1931, in Ellinwood, Kan., the son of William A. and Marie (Schauf) Thomas. Bill attended St. Joseph Parochial School and graduated from Ellinwood High School in 1949.
After graduation Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War and served as a Sergeant in the anti-aircraft artillery division. He was stationed on a site out of Ft. Tilden in Canarsie, Brooklyn, N.Y., where he met and married Marie L. Rigat on Aug. 8, 1954, in Our Lady of Miracles R.C. Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.
They came back to Kansas, Friday Aug. 13, 1954, after Bill was discharged from the Army and started farming south of Claflin, where he has been ever since.
Bill was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus where he served as financial secretary for 25 years. He also served on Logan Township Board as clerk for 25 years and was a school bus driver and bus supervisor for 25 years.
He was preceded in death by his spouse, Marie of almost 60 years who passed away March 17, 2014. Also preceding him in death were his parents; and two brothers, Michael and Robert. Bill is survived by a daughter, Susan (Tom) Blackshere of Salina; sons, Stephen Thomas of Pratt, and Tony Thomas of Claflin; two grandchildren, Brett (Kelsey) Thomas and Brock Thomas, all of Pratt; and two great grandchildren, Braelynn and Brextyn Thomas.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, with family receiving friends from 2 to 4 p.m., all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. A Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Pleasant View Cemetery, Claflin, Kan., with Father Terrance Klein presiding. Military honors conducted by Fort Riley Army Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to D.A.V. or Golden Belt Humane Society in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may be viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 14, 2024
