William Ralph Thomas

William (Bill) Ralph Thomas of Milwaukee, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at the age of 76.

Bill was born on February 16, 1947, in Woodstock, IL. His parents relocated to Darien, WI, where they operated a dairy farm. He was a graduate of Delavan-Darien High School. In 1965, after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a Radioman on the USS Henry Tucker, stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. It is here that he met and married his wife, Yoneko. In 1970, his ship returned to San Diego, CA. Bill was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1971 and remained in San Diego until 1980.  At that time, along with his family, he returned to Wisconsin. He resided in Walworth, WI, until 2010 when he and his wife moved to Milwaukee, WI. Bill was a member of The Soka Gakkai International-USA. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, working on cars, wood working, and watching sports;

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Yoneko Thomas (née Okawa); his children: Donald Thomas, Gregory Thomas, and Nobuko (Jeffrey) Lord; his grandchildren: Olivia, Charlotte, Alex, and Lauren; his sister, Sandra Niles; brothers: Donald (Julie) Thomas, James Thomas, and John (Jackie) Thomas; his sister-in-law, Judy Crissman Messer-Thomas; along with four nephews and one niece.

He is preceded in death by his father, George Thomas; his mother, Ruth Thomas (née Millar); his brothers: Michael Thomas, Robert Thomas, and Larry Thomas; brother-in-law, Robert (Bob) Niles; and sisters-in-law, Moya Thomas (née Anderson) and Dolly Thomas.