Rev. William A. Thomas, O.S.A. (1913-1977)
Rev. William A. Thomas, O.S.A. entered eternal life on January 13, 1977.
William Anthony Thomas was born on June 25, 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to George and Julia (Bushnell) Thomas. He was baptized on July 13, 1913 at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, Philadelphia. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation on June 4, 1922 at the same church.
On September 9, 1932, William entered the Augustinian Novitiate. He professed vows in the Order of St. Augustine on September 11, 1933. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1938. He then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. On June 10, 1940, William was ordained a priest. He did additional studies at Catholic University of America, Washington, and at DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.
From 1941 to 1943, Father Thomas served as Assistant Pastor at St. Augustine Parish, Marianao, Cuba. He was transferred in 1943 to St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois. In 1947, he was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, where he served as a teacher and Dean of Students until the time of his death.
Father Thomas died of a massive stroke on January 13, 1977.
Remembered as a man who was both patient and kind, Father Thomas treated his students with fairness. He was always ready to share his wisdom with his Augustinian community and others, but he never put on airs.
Father Thomas is buried in the Augustinian Plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Worth, Illinois.
Memorial gifts may be made to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via our Online Giving Page.
