Celebrate William’s Life
This is an excerpt from the Celebration of Life Program.
Speaker. Critical Thinker. Orator, Insatiable Reader. Teacher. Learner. Skeptic. Explorer. Smooth Talker. Golden State Warriors Fanatic!
In a life characterized most by an innate sense of curiosity, William Edward Thomas, also affectionately known as Billy, lived out more than one calling in his lifetime.
Those who knew him best know that on the day of his birth—Valentine’s Day, 1950—in St. Louis, Missouri, William was destined for the road less traveled in search of an extraordinary life: “I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can’t see from the center.” (Kurt Vonnegut)
Son to Freddie Lee Thomas, Sr. and Dorothy Louise Peebles-Thomas, and brother to nine siblings in the Thomas family, young Billy distinguished himself with a sense of style, a flair for the dramatic, a confident stride and a head held high (always). When he wasn’t playing sports, he was immersed in a book. He grew to share his father’s love for jazz music and the St. Louis Cardinals, even working alongside him at Busch Stadium as a young man. Young Billy shared a close relationship with his paternal grandmother, Pauline Parker, whom he called “Mama” and often persuaded to take his side when he couldn’t get his parents to agree.
One thing was certain: whether in a Dashiki sporting an Afro or “dressed to the nines” in a tailored suit, ascot and Stacey Adams at a gallery event, or on the sidelines in full regalia at a Warriors game, Billy/William’s distinctive charisma, intelligence and striking presence were undeniable.
As father to Krystal, William sought to instill the importance of being fully present. Whether teaching her to read, offering (sometimes unsolicited!)
counsel during her college years, or gently encouraging a brand new Mommy in the wee first hours of hte birth of Grandbaby Khloe Rose, his words of wisdom were consistent: “It’s okay. Take your time and enjoy these moments.”
As life partner to Valerie, William found a soul mate, confidante, lover, intellectual sparring partner and fellow skeptic all wrapped up in one. Together, they built a vibrant family life with a deep and mutual awareness of being “a guest in this world to know the secrets that lie beyond it.” (Rumi)
William is survived by his beloved Valerie and their family, Leila, Manon and Patrick; daughters Leslie and Krystal, son-in-law Ronnie and brand new granddaughter, Khloe Rose, and son Christopher; and siblings Freddie, Jr. (wife Bobbie), Johnnie (husband James) Anita (husband Jay), Darnell, Jerome, Gerald (wife Sheba), Patrice and Armond. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and sister, Lybrenthia.
Don’t think of him as gone away—his journey’s just begun.
Life holds so many facets—this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness can really pass away.
And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched…
for nothing loved is ever lost—and he was loved so much.
