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Wilbert E. “Bill” Thomas

Apr 1, 2014

Wilbert E. “Bill” Thomas, 81, of Hughesville, passed away on March 23, 2014, at the Williamsport Regional Medical Center after a short illness. Bill was born on Feb. 8, 1933, the son of Raymond L. and Verna Emick Thomas.

Bill is survived by his wife, the former JoAnn Stackhouse. They were married on June 19, 1955, and would have celebrated their 59th year of marriage in 2014.

He was a graduate of Hughesville High School, Class of 1951, after which he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following the Army, he graduated from Lycoming College in 1959. He worked as a claims adjuster for 40 years and was a founding partner of Susquehanna Claims Service, Inc. in Williamsport.

Bill was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church in Hughesville for over 55 years, where he served on numerous committees and boards and was a member of the former church softball team. He was founding charter president of Hughesville Jaycees, and longtime member of the Hughesville Borough Zoning Commission. He was Scoutmaster of Hughesville Boy Scout Troop No. 26, and was especially proud of the six Eagle Scouts he mentored.

As an accomplished gardener, Bill was well known for his flowers, vegetables and abundant tomatoes, which he grew from seeds and always shared with neighbors and friends. He was an expert photographer since his high school years, and was an avid computer and technology buff. He was a cutthroat card player and enjoyed that time with his friends.

He was an avid sports fan, especially of local sports, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Phillies, and Penn State, and was member of the George Callenberger Bocce Ball League. Bill enjoyed frequent travelling and road trips with his family, especially to North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

He made friends easily, and was always happy to stop and talk. Most especially he was a great, loyal, and loving friend, uncle, father-in-law, father, grandfather and husband. He will be greatly missed by all.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter, Beth L. Thomas; son-in-law, Nicholas R. Figlo Jr.; grandson, Thomas N. Figlo, of Drexel Hill; and son, Michael S. Thomas and partner, Kevin L. Kaempf, of Chicago. He is also survived by his aunt, Ruth Burns, of Pendleton, S.C., who was like a sister; his sister-in-law, Doris L. Harriman, of Laporte; and his nieces and nephew, Jane Rhone, Judy Harriman-Carlson, Daniel Margolis and Ann Bailey.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nephew, John S. Harriman, of Hughesville.

Services were held at Christ United Methodist Church, 148 S. Main St., in Hughesville on Friday, March 28 at noon. Officiating was his Pastor Jane O’Borski and Bill’s longtime friend and former pastor Arthur Gladfelter. Visitation was held prior to the service at 11 a.m.

Family provided flowers. Memorial contributions can be made in Bill’s name to Christ United Methodist Church, 148 S. Main St., Hughesville, PA 17737. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.mccartythomas.com.