Thomas

William D. "Bill" Thomas III, 81, of West Monterey died unexpectedly Wednesday evening at his home of natural causes.

Born Nov. 26, 1925, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of William D. Jr. and Hazel May Cashdollar Thomas.

Mr. Thomas retired in 1987 as maintenance supervisor of the food service depot for Pittsburgh Public Schools on Pittsburgh's South Side.

He was Protestant by faith.

Mr. Thomas served with the Army during World War II from Oct. 23, 1943, to Jan. 13, 1946, and remained in active Reserves for an additional six years. He was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant, and earned the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the European Theater Medal with four campaign stars. He served with Company C, 301st Infantry Regiment of the 94th Infantry Division.

He was a life member of Roy Calvin McGinnis VFW Post 7073 of Parker, where he served several consecutive years as post commander, as well as a trustee for many years. As long as health permitted, he marched with the veteran posts of Parker in parades and veteran funeral services, and usually called cadence during parades.

He initially was a member of American Legion Post 598 of Parker, and later became a member of Post 636 of Foxburg. He was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Smith Lybarger Thomas, whom he married April 24, 2004; two sons, David Thomas and wife Patti of Indianapolis, Ind., and James Thomas of West Monterey; a grandson; a brother, John E. "Jack" Thomas of Mechanicsburg; a sister-in-law; and a niece and nephew.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Nancy Louise Horrocks, whom he married June 28, 1947, and who died April 5, 2002.

<B>THOMAS</B> — Friends of William D. "Bill" Thomas, who died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Wayne St., Parker.Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, including full VFW-American Legion memorial services at the funeral home.Burial will be in West Monterey Cemetery, Perry Township, Clarion County.