Willliam E. Thomas

William E. Thomas, age 89 of Belle Fourche, died Thursday, February 21, 2013 at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center in Sturgis. A memorial service will be held 10 am Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Inurnment will take place at Black Hills National Cemetery, with Military Honors provided by the Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard. William Earl Thomas was born July 27, 1923 in Spearfish, South Dakota. He was the son of William and Mable (Jennings) Thomas. In 1937 the family moved from their ranch located 12 miles west of Belle Fourche, and moved into town. William graduated from the Belle Fourche High School in 1941 and the following year he moved to Chicago where he graduated from an electrical school. During World War II, Williams served his country in the U.S. Army. During this time he was stationed in Iceland where he received his schooling to be an MP. During the D-Day invasion, William took part in the Normandy invasion. For this service he was awarded the Arrowhead Metal, and his unit received the Presidential Citation. He was honorably discharged in 1945. On July 12, 1955, William was united in marriage to Maureen Brown. Following their marriage they lived in Belle Fourche, where William worked as a mechanic. For many years, he owned and operated the Thomas Garage. At the age of 76, William retired when his shop burned to the ground. William will be remembered for his sarcastic sense of humor, and the fun he liked to have. He was a loving father and brother, and he enjoyed his friends very much. He was one of the best mechanics and he will be greatly missed. William is survived by his daughter, Patty (Robert) Witt of Belle Fourche; son, Michael Thomas of Belle Fourche; 2 grandchildren, Rusty Truman and Trevor Thomas; sisters, Ruth (Ernie) Shoop of Belle Fourche, Rose Wagner of Emporia Kansas; and brother, Bud Thomas of Custer. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maureen; and brother, Lester Thomas.