Obituary for William E. "Bill" Thomas
William E. "Bill" Thomas
Age 69, of Wilmington and Dewey Beach, Delaware, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 2, 2021.
Bill was a devoted husband, brother, and uncle. He is preceded in death by his parents, Aurella and Elias Thomas; his brother, Edward Thomas; his sisters, Patricia Holotanko and Maryann Cutone; and his niece, Bernadette Thomas.
Bill is survived by wife, Maria (nee Mandziuk) Thomas; his sister, Jean Thomas; as well as 7 nieces and one nephew.
Bill was raised in Wilmington, Delaware and attended Delcastle High School. His career started with employment as a dispatcher with the Delaware State Police. He became a police officer, and served as an officer with the Delaware City, Newport, Elsmere police departments. Lastly, Bill was employed at the Delaware River and Bay Authority, where he retired in 2011 as a court liaison officer with the DRBA and the Attorney General’s office.
Bill was an active member of the Delaware Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 14, and was a trustee to the State FOP organization. He attended several State of Delaware local conventions as well as national conferences. Bill was a devoted member of the DAP (Delaware Association of Police) serving on the Board of Directors as a Sargeant at Arms.
Bill was very active with the volunteer fire service with the Minquas Fire Co. of Newport, where he achieved a life membership certificate of 50 years of service to the Department. Bill was a life member of the Elsmere Fire Co., serving as a board of director and the department Assistant Treasurer up until his death.
Bill was an avid beachgoer and enjoyed the beach scene. He and his wife, Maria enjoyed a beach home in Dewey Beach, where he was active in the Lions Club. He and Maria also enjoyed traveling to Florida and Mexico.
A viewing for Bill will be held on Wednesday, May 5, at Elsmere Fire Hall, 1107 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE 19805 from 6:00-8:00 pm. A Mass will be held on Thursday, May 6,at 10:00 am at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 800 West Lea Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19802. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family asks contributions to be made in Bill’s name to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home
1400 Kirkwood Highway
Wilmington, DE 19805
302.994.9614
Age 69, of Wilmington and Dewey Beach, Delaware, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 2, 2021.
Bill was a devoted husband, brother, and uncle. He is preceded in death by his parents, Aurella and Elias Thomas; his brother, Edward Thomas; his sisters, Patricia Holotanko and Maryann Cutone; and his niece, Bernadette Thomas.
Bill is survived by wife, Maria (nee Mandziuk) Thomas; his sister, Jean Thomas; as well as 7 nieces and one nephew.
Bill was raised in Wilmington, Delaware and attended Delcastle High School. His career started with employment as a dispatcher with the Delaware State Police. He became a police officer, and served as an officer with the Delaware City, Newport, Elsmere police departments. Lastly, Bill was employed at the Delaware River and Bay Authority, where he retired in 2011 as a court liaison officer with the DRBA and the Attorney General’s office.
Bill was an active member of the Delaware Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 14, and was a trustee to the State FOP organization. He attended several State of Delaware local conventions as well as national conferences. Bill was a devoted member of the DAP (Delaware Association of Police) serving on the Board of Directors as a Sargeant at Arms.
Bill was very active with the volunteer fire service with the Minquas Fire Co. of Newport, where he achieved a life membership certificate of 50 years of service to the Department. Bill was a life member of the Elsmere Fire Co., serving as a board of director and the department Assistant Treasurer up until his death.
Bill was an avid beachgoer and enjoyed the beach scene. He and his wife, Maria enjoyed a beach home in Dewey Beach, where he was active in the Lions Club. He and Maria also enjoyed traveling to Florida and Mexico.
A viewing for Bill will be held on Wednesday, May 5, at Elsmere Fire Hall, 1107 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE 19805 from 6:00-8:00 pm. A Mass will be held on Thursday, May 6,at 10:00 am at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 800 West Lea Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19802. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family asks contributions to be made in Bill’s name to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home
1400 Kirkwood Highway
Wilmington, DE 19805
302.994.9614