William J. Thomas
Veteran was correction officer, Lone Pine VFD member
William J. “Bill” Thomas, 69, of Amity, West Bethlehem Township, died Monday, July 22, 2013, in Donnell House, Washington.
He was born June 2, 1944, in Daisytown, a son of the late William S. and Margaret E. Antal Thomas.
Mr. Thomas was a 1962 graduate of California High School.
From 1965 to 1968, he served with the U.S. Army in Battery D, 3rd Battalion of the 1st Artillery Division. For his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Marksman’s Badge with rifle bar, Marksman’s Badge with missile bar, Marksman’s Badge with carbine bar and the Good Conduct Medal.
He was previously employed by Cooper Industries in Canonsburg, retiring in 1994, after 25 years of service. He most recently was employed as a correction officer at the Washington County Correction Facility, retiring in 2009, after 13 years of service.
Mr. Thomas was a life member of Steele-Lillie American Legion Post 744 in Marianna, secretary of North Ten Mile Veterans Association, a member of Teamsters Local 585 and United Steel Workers of America. He was a life member of Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Department and a longtime member of North Ten Mile Baptist Church, where he had previously served as a trustee.
He loved oldies. He was an avid record collector, especially music from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as being an avid gun enthusiast. Spending time with his family brought him much enjoyment.
On June 14, 1969, he married Clara “Jean” Montgomery, who survives. They celebrated 44 years of marriage.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a sister, Beverly Ann Sweeney of Erie; a brother-in-law, Ken Montgomery (Deb) of Washington; a sister-in-law, Marge Friend (John) of East Aurora, N.Y.; a mother-in-law, Thelma Montgomery of Lone Pine; nieces and nephews Kiley Friend Iams (Joshua), Jason Montgomery (Desiree), Lawrence W. Sweeney, Maureen Sweeney and Kathleen Linse; and great-nieces and nephews Braylee Sweeney, Sophie Sweeney, Ethan Sweeney, Jeffrey Linse, Dustyn Montgomery, Cayden Montgomery and Alyvia Montgomery.
Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, 336 Wilson Avenue, Washington. Additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Friday, July 26, in North Ten Mile Baptist Church, Amity, with Pastor Gary Schneider officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by Steele-Lillie American Legion Post 744, Marianna. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to North Ten Mile Baptist Church, 322 Ridge Church Road, Amity, PA 15311; Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Department, 330 Weaver Run Road, Washington, PA 15301; or Hospice Care of the Washington Hospital, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. Arrangements are under the direction of John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, Beallsville. Guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.