Vivian W. (Bill) Thomas 2-11-1935 -- 6-27-2017 Bill was born in Dillon, Montana to Vivian W Thomas Sr. and Louisa Curnutt Thomas. His father was a well-loved butcher for Safeway and mother worked at the court house. The butchering trade moved them around the state to Helena and Missoula. WWII took them to Virginia while VW Sr. served in the Navy. Growing up, "Billy," attended many different schools including one in Virginia where he was called "d….ed yankee". He had no idea what that was or why he was called that. As an only child, and both parent's working, he was known to get into a bit of trouble. He was caught by security climbing the school yard wall that backed up against the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg to catch a peek of the goings on. Back in Dillon, his mother and several aunts moved in together while the men were at war. Being a prankster he and his cousins decided it would be fun to throw rotten eggs at the neighbor's shed. Needless to say, his mom and aunts were not amused and cleaning it up was severe punishment. At Dillon HS, Bill played football and basketball. He sang many solos for various programs, was in theatre, and became an accomplished cornet player. He stood in a grove of trees to play Taps for military funerals. He attended a year of college at Western Montana State College in Dillon before joining the Navy during the Korean War. As an Electronics Technician, he kept the radar and radio equipment working on his ship, the USS White River, then served in the radio shop at Pearl Harbor repairing equipment as the ships came and went. He earned the rank of First Class Petty Officer in his four years of service, an honor of which he was very proud. His ship, thankfully never saw combat. Returning from service, Bill met a sweet young thing in the Chemistry Department's glass blowing lab at Montana State College. She thought he was the instructor, so when he asked if he'd burnt his kisser during a lab, she was shocked. Soon, he and Alta Parker were an item on the campus attending all the dances, enjoying nightly coffee dates, and every movie that came to town. After graduation, he moved to Midland, Michigan where Dow Chemical Co. employed him. Alta, with another year of school left, stayed in Bozeman. Once graduated, she traveled to Midland and asked Bill, point-blank, if he was gonna marry her or not. Needless to say, the black book was retired and they were married on August 19, 1962. The couple stayed in Midland and both worked as chemists for Dow. Many cold winters were warmed up with coffee and Dawn's donuts in the morning. They moved to Salt Lake City for further education followed by Bill taking a position with the brand-new presence of Battelle on the Hanford Reservation in 1965. They gave the Tri Cities 18 months and then planned to find a cooler more mountainous place to live. Fifty-two years later it is still home. 30 + years with Battelle in the 329 building had Bill making wonderful friends with his colleagues who still gather for lunch several times a year. Bill and Alta raised 3 daughters, Christi, Tracy and Lisa. Even though Alta was the teacher in the family, Bill helped out the most with homework, especially math. He was known to pull out his college math notes to help explain how to do certain problems. And he still had his college notes until Lisa, the youngest, was in college herself. His daughters inherited his talents as well. All three have his gift of music and playing the piano. Tracy and Lisa got his gift of singing and performing. Christi got his gift of compassion. Being the only male in the immediate family, Bill looked forward to time spent with Alta's only sibling, Ray Parker, his wife Ruth and their sons Richard and Ryan. Get togethers with the two families were frequent even though the Parker's lived in Federal Way. Bill and Alta would cram their family of 5 and 2 dogs into their little Dodge Colt and make their way over the pass multiple times every season. Bill loved the mountains. Backpacking trips were common events even with small daughters in tow carrying their own little packs of gear. He was an accomplished skier, a dependable bowler and a so-so golfer. His photographs are exceptional, so much so that some of those Mount St Helen's photos published are probably his, as his film was never returned. In addition to his love of the outdoors, he was fascinated with flying and anything related to space. He had several wonderful adventures flying in small planes with friends and family as well as many hours flying from his own cockpit – his office computer. On cool nights he could often be found stargazing and photographing the moon. His claim to fame was as a tool collector. Wood working was his passion. Family members all cherish the items that he made for them. In later years, his role as Grandpa became a very important one. With all his grandkids living in Kennewick, he was often called upon for help. Teaching shop skills and safety to the boys bonded them in a special way. His only granddaughter shares his love of music. That love brought him back to the church choir after retirement where he performed as a reliable Bass singer. As a longtime member of Kennewick First Presbyterian Church, he also served as an Elder, a Stephen's Minister, and longtime friend and support system to many who worship there. He is preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law Sarah Parker (William) Hopkins and father-in-law Clayton Parker; brother-in-law Ray Parker; and grandson Justin Wentland. Surviving him are his wife, Alta Thomas, daughters Christi Thomas, Tracy Thomas (Carl) Beyer, and Lisa (Mark) Julson. Grandchildren Dakota, Chase and Lane Wentland; Kylee and Parker Julson; sister-in-law Ruth Parker, nephews Richard and Ryan Parker (Lisa Smith); and great nieces, Penelope Blue and Georgia Ray Parker. A memorial honoring the life of Bill Thomas will be on July 9th at 2:00 p.m. held at the Kennewick First Presbyterian Church; 2001 Kennewick Avenue: Kennewick WA 99336. In lieu of flowers, please, consider a donation to the Deacon's Fund of Kennewick First Presbyterian Church.