William G. Thomas ’54

William Thomas died unexpectedly April 13, 2013, in Copley, Ohio.

Born in Fairmont, W.Va., Bill attended Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, W.Va. At Princeton his major was psychology. He was a member of Cloister and served as vice president. He was a member of the Nassoons and the Glee Club and was president of the Psychology Club. After graduation, he worked for B.F. Goodrich Co. in Akron. In 1961, he moved into purchasing for its aerospace and defense divisions. In 1966, he assumed responsibility for chemical purchasing and later began buying synthetic rubber. He received an MBA from the University of Akron in 1967.

In 1970, Bill was transferred to Singapore and spent three years in the company’s rubber-buying operation. On his return he spent the next 12 years in chemical-group purchasing. He subsequently left the company and worked for GOJO Industries.

Bill cared for his wife, who died from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1993. His retirement included singing in two choirs and a quartet in church. The class extends its sympathy to his sons, Stephen and John, and three grandchildren.