William Thomas

William James Thomas

William James “Bill” Thomas, 78, peacefully passed away March 15, 2022 in Santaquin, Utah. William was born July 31, 1943 in Brookings, South Dakota, to his parents, William Gordon Thomas and Margaret Gene (Culhane) Thomas.
Bill grew up in Brookings, South Dakota until he was 6 when his family moved to East Lancing, Michigan. His family moved to Portales New Mexico during his high school years and he graduated from Portales High school in 1961. Bill was an avid athlete. He especially loved to play basketball, run track , swim, and play baseball. He also loved golfing and bowling. Bill received his Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Eastern New Mexico University in Clovis, New Mexico. He received 2 Masters degrees, one in chemistry and the other in math both from Eastern New Mexico University. He taught chemistry at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas for 2 years. Bill was an exceptional Chemist and was the lab manager for Union 76/ Unocal from 1970- 1990 while living in Port Arthur, Texas and later for Sinclair Oil while living in Rawlins, Wyoming from 1990 until he retired in 2003.

Bill married and was sealed to Philicia Susanne Thomas on April 11, 1985 in the Dallas Texas Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter- day Saints in Dallas, Texas. They were married for 37 years.
Bill is survived by his wife, Philicia Susanne (Christian)Thomas. His son, Jeff and his wife Kelly Thomas of Austin, TX. His son Brian and his wife Michelle Thomas of Aurora, CO. His daughter, Rachael and her husband Nathan Harris of Mapleton, UT. His son John Hossley III and Rebecca of Durham, Maine. His son Michael and his wife Jennifer Graham of Silsbee, Texas and his brother Mike and his wife Paula of Albuquerque, New Mexico and 3 nephews, Mike, Kyle, & Sean.
Bill is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Christina (David) West, Katie (Jackson) Casper, Nathan Jr. (Lina) Harris, Taylor Harris, Sarah Harris, Angela Harris, Jessica Harris, Makayla Hossley, Fiona Thomas, Slade Hossley, and Soren Thomas. 2 great grandsons, Bridger (Cheyenne) West and Lawson Dean Price. 1 great great granddaughter, Adeline West.
Bill was a devout member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous capacities. His love and talent of music allowed him the opportunity to play and sing as he participated in countless choirs and quorums. He was in multiple choirs for Temple dedications which gave him immense joy. He loved working on family history and worked in the Payson Utah Temple.
Bill is preceded in death by his father William Gordon Thomas and his mother Margaret Gene (Culhane) Thomas and a grandson, Michael Gene Graham.

A viewing will be held on Friday evening, March 25, 2022 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Spanish Oaks Ward building, located at 2981 East 1660 south, Spanish Fork, Utah.
There will also be a viewing Saturday morning, March 26, 2022 from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm at the same location, followed by funeral services beginning at 1:00 pm in the chapel.
Internment will be at Spanish Fork Cemetery located at 420 south 400 east, Spanish Fork, Utah.