William Thomas, Jr.

William A. Thomas, Jr., 89, of East Hughes Street, Des Moines, died Tuesday, September 08, 2009, at home after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-nine years, Mary Ann Hutchings Thomas and their eldest son, William A. Thomas III.
Mr. Thomas was born in Melcher, Iowa, on July 18, 1920. He graduated from Melcher High School and played on the school’s undefeated football team his senior year. After graduation he entered the Civilian Conservation Corps near Knoxville, and later moved to Des Moines where he graduated from the Capital City Business College and was employed by Tone Brothers. Later he was a sales manager for Jacobson Manufacturing and Quick Manufacturing, before working for the United States Postal Service.
Mr. Thomas was a decorated veteran of the United States Navy in World War Two. He was in campaigns in the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, and the Philippines, and survived the sinking of his ship, the USS Ward, at Leyte Gulf on December 7, 1944.
Mr. Thomas was an elder at Indianola Heights Christian Church, a member of Southgate Masonic Lodge, the American Legion, the United States Navy Memorial Association and the Indianola Country Club.
He is survived by his sons Thomas James Thomas and D. William Thomas (Kay Neumann Thomas), three grandchildren, Meredith Ann Thomas of Austin, Texas, William Neumann Thomas of Johnston, and Grant James Thomas of Indianola; and two sisters, Virginia Durham of Ankeny, and Phyllis Shumway of West Des Moines.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, and the funeral will be Friday, September 11 at noon at Indianola Heights Christian Church, Des Moines. Burial will be at Avon Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or Indianola Heights Christian Church.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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