SOUTH PORTLAND – Bill was born Feb. 15, 1931, in Berkley California, to Irene and William Thomas. Raised in Fresno Calif., Bill grew up to be an accomplished athlete in many sports as well as playing violin and competing in various concert performances. Bill attended Roosevelt High School and it was there that he met his first love Betty Louise, daughter of Agnes and Pinky Finnerty, while as young music students they were headed into their violin lessons. Bill and Betty were married on Dec. 27, 1951, in Fresno, Calif., and within a year Bill joined the Navy on Nov. 18, 1952.

Serving in the Navy, during the Korean War, Bill worked in Electronics Reconnaissance while flying in planes over the Pacific Ocean. Bill’s Navy career lasted for four years, and he returned to California where he and Betty began raising their family. It was there that IBM found and recruited Bill as a Customer Engineer in Research and Development. During his thirty-seven year career at IBM, Bill and Betty moved with their son Dave, all around the country from Buena Park, Calif., to Poughkipsee, N.Y., and to Round Rock, Texas. Bill was always active, at six foot four, he was very athletic and enjoyed tennis, swimming, competitive bowling leagues at IBM, and also had a special love for cars. He was meticulous about how they ran as well as how clean they should be, detailed down to the last drop of water. He also continued with his musical talent and belonged to a banjo group; he could proficiently play anything with strings. On his retirement from IBM, Bill continued with his life long passion for all things automotive, and began travelling around the U.S.A. in very grand motor homes. Through these years of touring adventure it was decided that Southern Maine was the most lovely place they found to settle down again. The Town of Alfred became their new home where they enjoyed living in a small community, until Betty passed away in 2011.

A couple years later, in a second chapter, a mutual friend introduced Bill to Pat Kinkade of Portland. It was remarkably inspiring for two people around the age of 80, to have a fresh start at love and marriage. Bill and Pat were married on Nov. 11, 2014. These years involved time living in Portland on the Eastern Prom, as well as enjoying lake life at a second house in Lincoln. Bill and Pat belonged to the StrumDingers ukulele group. They travelled abroad to Europe as well as Florida. It was an active life for ten years that was a lesson in “it’s never too late to try!”. Pat passed away in 2022 and her daughters and granddaughter have kept an active role in Bill’s life. He enjoyed going out for a drive, a good burger and a beer, and always had a sweet tooth, especially for crème brulee and Tillamook ice cream. At 93 years, Bill lived a “totally wonderful” full life which ended peacefully on May 23, 2024.

Bill leaves behind his son, Dave Thomas of Elgin, Texas, and stepdaughters Patricia Kinkade of Kennebunk, Sheila Kinkade of Baltimore, Md., Nancy Kinkade of Lincoln, Susan Hawthorne of Sarasota, Fla., and granddaughter Charlotte Kinkade of Falmouth. Our immense gratitude goes to the Gosnell House Hospice staff for their amazing care.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 22, 1:30 p.m., at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco.

Any donations in Bill’s memory can be made to the Gosnell House Hospice in Scarborough, Maine.

Copy the Story Link