William J. "Billy John" Thomas

William J. "Billy John" Thomas, 93, of Dover and of Sanibel Island, Florida died Tuesday, September 9, 2014.
Born June 2, 1921 in Dover he was a son of the late William "Billy John" and Ethel Graham Thomas. William was also preceded in death by his sister, Jane Elizabeth MacKay.

Upon graduation from Dover High School he entered Dennison College where his attendance was disrupted by his enlistment in the Naval Air Force during WW II. After the war, he graduated from Muskingham College then became the owner of Boulevard Lanes in Dover for many years. Following the sale of the bowling alley, he became an Economics Teacher at New Philadelphia Schools. William was a member of the Dover Elks, Dover American Legion and the Atwood Yacht Club.

William is survived by his wife of 23 years Clara L. Chozianin Thomas whom he married on April 20, 1991; nephews, David (Karol) MacKay and Thomas (Louise) MacKay; great nephews, David MacKay and Grant MacKay; great niece, Katie MacKay.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 12 at 11:00 am in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover with Rev. Brian Flood officiating. Interment will be at the East Avenue Cemetery where the Dover VFW will conduct military graveside services. Following the burial a luncheon will be held in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center. Friends can call at the funeral home on Thursday from 5-7 pm. Those wishing to express their fondest memories of William may do so by visiting the on line obituaries and flowers link on the funeral homes website.