Bishop Thomas Dies at 84
Episcopal News Service. April 24, 1986 [86090]
PITTSBURGH (DPS, April 24) -- The Rt. Rev. Willam S. Thomas, Jr., who served as suffragan bishop of the Episcopal diocese here for 18 years, died on April 19 at the age of 84.
A native of Pittsburgh, Thomas was the son of William S. Thomas, Sr. and Lillian Amelia Evans.
Thomas began his higher education at Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, where he spent 1921-22, going on to the University of Pittsburgh, from which he received a BA in 1924. He then attended the Episcopal Theological School, in Cambridge, Mass. 1924-25. He also received DD degrees from both the University of Pittsburgh and the Philadelphia Divinity School.
Bishop Alexander Mann of Pittsburgh ordained Thomas to the diaconate in December 1926 and to the priesthood in July 1927.
Thomas served as assistant at Calvary Church, Pittsburgh, 1936-40. He then was made canon of St. Paul's Cathedral in Boston, where he served 1940-42. He returned to Pittsburgh in 1942 to become its archdeacon, a position he held until the time of his election as suffragan bishop of Pittsburgh in 1953.
As suffragan, Thomas served under diocesan bishops Austin Pardue (1944-68) and Robert B. Appleyard (1968-82). He retired in 1971 but continued to live here.
In 1921, Thomas married Janet Alice Clutter. They had two children.