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William ‘Bill” Thomas Obituary
Bill passed away peacefully with family at his side. He was born at James River Bridge and educated in Fallen, AB. He held many jobs in his younger years from farming to the oil rigs.
He found his calling with the forestry as a Radio Communications Officer. Not only did he look after the aircraft during fire season in northern Alberta but he developed a love of flying. Planes or helicopters, it didn’t matter to him as long as he could be in the air.
It was while he was working in Lac La Biche that he met Denise, who would become his wife and life partner. He became an instant father to three kids. He not only took on the task of helping to raise this ready made family but they added to it.
Bill loved to tease, play with the kids and tell jokes, some could be a little off-colored. He taught us all to fish and play crib. Bill’s love of teasing rubbed off onto his kids and many a hot summer day his boys would grab him and wrestle him into the kids swimming pool – shirt, shoes, wallet and all. Not ever do we remember him being angry or upset with us.
Bill played hockey into his 60’s. As a young man he tried out for the Detroit Red Wings as a goal tender and while he didn’t make the team he never lost his love for the game. Playing in the “old timers” league in Fort McMurray, he was able to fulfill his dream of traveling to different parts of the world while playing. His team “The Tarsand Turkeys” traveled to Japan and California to play in some world tournament.
Not only did Bill play hockey, but he also played ball, curled and bowled.
Bill and Denise travelled to Hawaii, Nashville, Mexico with family, Alaska (another dream), Victoria and often to BC.
When it was time to retire Bill and Denise left Fort McMurray and moved to their land in Lac La Biche. Part of Bill’s daily routine involved driving into town every afternoon to have coffee with his friends and solve the world’s problems. Something he looked forward to.
In October 2023, Bill’s health forced them to leave the farm and so they decided to settle in Okotoks. It was a good move allowing him to have the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids drop in unexpectedly.
Bill is survived by his wife Denise, his children Wayne (Roxanne); Margaret (Mike); Larry (Glenda) and Lavern (Ingrid); 7 grandchildren – Michelle; Camina (Tyler); Alexander (Alexandra); Christopher (Dania); Andrew; Natalie (Connor) and Chloe. 9 great grandchildren – Haleigh, Ethan, Nicolas, Tiona, Silas, Calvin, Freddy, Elliot, Thomas, with another little girl due in October.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Heart & Lung Association or the Kidney Foundation.
Respectfully submitted by the family
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December 10 1939 September 19 2024 84 Years Old
Death notice for the town of: Lac-La-Biche, Province: Alberta
death notice William ‘Bill George Thomas December 10 1939 September 19 2024 84 Years Old
obituaries notice William ‘Bill George Thomas December 10 1939 September 19 2024 84 Years Old
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of William ‘Bill George Thomas December 10 1939 September 19 2024 84 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
