Mr. William Thomas

With deep admiration we celebrate the life of William Joseph Thomas, known affectionately to his loved ones as "Billy" or "Bee". Born on February 21, 1941, William was a beacon of light and wisdom to all who knew him. He peacefully passed away on May 25, 2025, at the age of 84. Billy was the eighth of ten children born to Perry and Jessie Thomas, who migrated from Texas to Denver. By the age of 8, both of his parents had passed away, and Billy along with his siblings were nurtured by family members who raised them lovingly. Despite humble beginnings, Billy exemplified resilience, ambition, and generosity throughout his lifetime. A proud native of Denver, Billy attended Whittier Elementary, Cole Junior High, and graduated from Manual High School where he was a devoted Thunderbolt! In 1963 he was drafted into the U. S. Army and honorably served his country as an accomplished sharpshooter. During his service, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and rose to rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged. Following his military service, Billy pursued higher education and earned a degree in Engineering. He went on to join IBM, where he was one of the few African American engineers at that time. His career at IBM was distinguished by his invention of the Polarized Connector, which earned him notable recognition. Despite his remarkable achievements, Billy remained humble and grounded, attributing his success to his ambitious nature and resilience. Family was the cornerstone of Billy’s life, and he valued those bonds above all else. He cherished family gatherings, especially playing dominos and bid whist with loved ones. To help relatives stay connected, Billy created the Thomas-Loggins Facebook page, fostering communication and unity among family members. Outside of family, he found joy in betting at the dog track, trips to the casino, fishing, and gardening. A devoted Denver Broncos fan, Billy held season tickets for decades, proudly supporting his team through every season. Billy approached life with vigor and tenacity, always ready to extend a helping hand, and his inspiring spirit was contagious. He possessed a robust sense of humor and a captivating storytelling ability that would leave his listeners laughing and smiling. Billy’s legacy of love and strength endures. He is survived by Janet Thomas, his beloved wife of 48 years, his loving daughter Jannell Thomas, his cherished grandson Jamaul Thomas, his close-knit sisters Jeanette Robinson and Geraldine Nash-Kennedy, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceding him in death are his parents, Perry and Jessie Thomas, his brothers Perry, Chester and Robert, and his sisters Helen Thomas, Stella Robins, Barbara Smith, and Patricia Smoots who were all there to welcome him with open arms. In the words of Maya Angelou, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Billy’s ability to impact those around him will be eternally remembered and cherished.

Mr. William Thomas

February 21, 1941 - May 25, 2025