1913 – 1977 (January 13)
William Anthony Thomas was born June 25, 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to George Thomas and Julia Bushnell. He was baptized on July 13, 1913, at Our Mother of Sorrows Church, Philadelphia, and was confirmed on June 4, 1922 at the same church. He entered the novitiate September 9, 1932, professed simple vows on September 11, 1933, and earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1938. He pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D. C., and was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1940. He did additional study at the Catholic University of America, Washington, and at DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.
From 1941 to 1943 Father Thomas served as assistant pastor at San Agustin, Marianao, Cuba. In 1943 he was transferred to Saint Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois, and in 1947, to Saint Rita High School, Chicago, where he served as teacher and Dean of Students until the time of his death.
Father Thomas died on January 13, 1977 of a massive stroke. He is remembered as a patient and kind friar and teacher, who treated his students with fairness, and was always ready to share his wisdom with his Augustinian community and others, in simplicity and authenticity.
He is buried in the Augustinian Plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Worth, Illinois.
