William Reese Thomas February 23, 1938 - April 20, 2013

Longtime Soldotna resident, Mr. William Reese Thomas, 75, died Saturday, April 20, 2013 at his home in Soldotna with his family by his side. Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2013 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, 159 Marydale Drive in Soldotna. Stake President Olaf Hartvigson will be officiating. Mr. Thomas was born February 23, 1938 in Price, Utah. He graduated high school and attended a year of college. Bill served in the U.S. Army for a short while before being honorably discharged. He lived in Anchorage when he first moved to Alaska in 1957. After moving to Kenai he worked for the Kenai Power Company and most recently worked as an oil field worker for Chevron Oil until he retired. Bill was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints in Soldotna. He taught Art, was a volunteer fireman and EMT and a Boy Scout Master. Bill loved painting, wood carving and his Ham Radio. The family wrote, “William Thomas touched the lives of all who met him. He had a great love for the outdoors and spent much of his time hunting in the wilderness with pack horse and fishing. He taught art at remote Alaskan Villages and his legacy continues as his painting and relief carvings are spread across the world. After surviving cancer, he spent many years as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. He loved the Lord and he exemplified Jesus Christ’s example by spending his life in service to others.” He was preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Cora Thomas; brother, Ron Thomas and son-in-law, Dee Jay Palmer. He is survived by his wife, Judith Pickett Thomas; daughter, Misty Palmer; son, Wade Thomas and his wife, Susan; daughter, Hillary Bergeron and her husband, Robert; granddaughter, Jessica Smith and her husband, Austin; grandsons, Jared Thomas and Chris Palmer; granddaughters, Nicole Thomas, Rachel Thomas, Kate Palmer and Amanda Bergeron; great grandson, Oliver Smith; brother, Keith Thomas. Arrangements made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel & Crematory. Please visit Bill’s obituary and online guestbook at alaskanfuneral.com.