4 replies to this topic

[Walt Wimer]

SAD NEWS....Long time Sprint Car & Modified car owner Bill Thomas passed away yesterday. He owned Sprint Cars in the 1960s with all time greats Ralph Quarterson and Lou Blaney driving for him. In 1978 he and Blaney went together on a Modified they bought from Toby Tobias. Blaney then rewrote the record books for western PA Modified racing. More info when such is available. Walt

[tjtrackrabbit]

Sad news, RIP Bill. Prayers for the family.

[bezerker]

He was a big contribution to racing in the tri-state area. His son and he brought class to our "dirty" sport. Condolences to Will and his family. Just one of the father-son teams that is involved in our local sport.

[TCM29]

Sad- saw this on Facebook and it brought to mind the greatness of Lou in the C-T Chevy and later cars. In more recent years I met Will, who was always so polite and classy, always called me Mister- When I learned he was not much older than my son I was kind of confused as to how his dad could have been the car owner of one of my childhood heroes, when I read the obit I was able to put the timetable together. RIP Mr. Thomas.

[JIMBALENTINE]

William John Thomas Jr. Business founder was hall of fame race car owner ----- - — William John Thomas Jr., 2599 Shadow Drive, South Pymatuning Township, formerly of Tree Top Lane, Hermitage, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes Wednesday morning (4-16-14) in the emergency room of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 73. Mr. Thomas was born May 25, 1940, in Sharon, a son of William John Thomas Sr. and Elizabeth Tedford Thomas. He attended The Cranbrook School, Bloomfield, Mich.; and Sharon High School. He was a 1967 graduate of Youngstown State University, where he received his bachelor of science degree in business administration. He served in the Coast Guard. Bill was the founder and chief executive officer of Colonial Metal Products in Stateline Industrial Park, Hermitage. He was a member of Grace Chapel Community Church, Hermitage. Bill had a passion for auto racing since his early teens. He was the owner of sprint cars driven by Ralph Quarterson and the late Lou Blaney and also the owner of Lou’s modified car. His passion for auto racing was passed on to his son Will and, together, they founded Will Thomas Motorsports. As a champion car owner, he was inducted into the Twin State Hall of Fame in 2011. Bill was a member of Avalon Golf and Country Club and a former longtime member of the Sharon Social Fishing Club on Lake Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. Surviving are his wife, the former Jean Buckley; a daughter, Heather Thomas Elmobasher; a son, William J. Thomas III and his wife Tammy; two grandchildren, Welleed and Emily Elmobasher; and a sister, Elizabeth Trace. Bill was preceded in death by his parents. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Grace Chapel Community Church, 4075 Lamor Road; or Buhl Park, 715 Hazen Road, both Hermitage, PA 16148; or to a charity of the donor’s choice. THOMAS William John Jr., 73, of 2599 Shadow Drive, South Pymatuning Township, formerly of Tree Top Lane, Hermitage. Calling hours: Noon to time of service Tuesday (4-22-14) in Grace Chapel Community Church, Hermitage. Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com Service: Memorial service at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the church with the Rev. Larry Haynes, pastor, officiating. Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage. Arrangements by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.