Bill Thomas’s family moved from Hope, Arkansas to Los Angeles when he was nine years old. He attended the schools in Los Angeles and holds a degree in Business Administration. He is the eldest of five siblings and learned responsibility early in life.
He served in the United States Army as a Combat Infantryman in Viet Nam and was awarded the Bronze Medal, Air Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and many more. He attained the rank of Sergeant.
Bill has always been civic-minded and strongly believes in the importance of giving back to the community he lives and works in. This is affirmed in that he has served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Rotary Club, President of the Southern California Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), a member of the Education Committee at California State University, Dominguez Hills as well as many other boards and commissions. He served four years as the President of The Victor Valley Branch of the NAACP.
He was appointed and currently serve as a Commissioner on the City of Victorville Planning Commission.
Bill retired as a Region Manager with the Southern California Edison Company where he held many management positions. He was a role model and mentor for many who worked with him and some advanced into senior management positions. After the 1992 Riots in Los Angeles, he facilitated having Edison International donate, renovate, and support a twelve-acre site, which became The Regional Job Training Facility in Compton, CA.
After retiring from Edison, Bill moved to Atlanta, GA where he obtained an insurance License and worked with his wife Terry in her Insurance Agency. He then went to work for The City of College Park, GA as a Utility Director. Bill completed the rigorous training requirements and was granted a State License for Mediation (Registered Neutral). He conducted workplace mediations before personnel matters went before the City Council.
He chaired and served on many of the ministries and boards of his church in Georgia. He taught Sunday School and was ordained a Deacon in 2007.
In 2011 Bill and his wife Terry moved from Georgia to Victorville, CA. They enjoy travelling and spending time with their children and six grandchildren. Bill and Terry are members of Emmanuel Temple CME Church and they both serve on the various ministries there.