William Edward Thomas

Bill was the younger son of Oscar Grueby Thomas and Helen J. (Ahearn) Thomas. Born in Boston and raised in Arlington, Bill developed a lifelong love of music that led him to Boston University’s School of Music, where he majored in Theory and Composition. From 1952 to 1958, he served in the United States Navy in the Pacific aboard the USS Essex aircraft carrier as a musician. Bill was an adept pianist and always had music playing at home—often his favorites, Bach and Mahler—and was a devoted fan of Leonard Bernstein.

Following his Navy service, Bill worked as a music editor for Allyn and Bacon and later Ginn Publishing, contributing especially to elementary school music series with his own arrangements and descants, and supervising recording sessions in New York City for the records that accompanied the textbooks. After Ginn was sold and the music textbook division closed, Bill relocated to Cape Cod in 1970 and eventually settled in Chatham, where he would make his home for the rest of his life.

On Cape Cod, Bill played piano at a number of local venues, most notably at the Northport Restaurant, where he provided “dinner piano” for several years. He was also the pianist for the local swing band The Silver Foxes and enjoyed getting together for rehearsals and gigs with his fellow Foxes. In addition to his musical work, Bill served the Chatham community through the United States Postal Service, retiring after twelve years.

Bill loved the Cape and walked the beach in Chatham every day that weather allowed until he was in his early 90s. He was a regular visitor to the town library and appreciated the help he received from the staff there.

In his last five years, Bill lived at and grew to enjoy the residents and, especially, the staff at The Victorian Assisted Living, and later, Liberty Commons, both part of Broadreach Healthcare in North Chatham.

He is survived by his niece, Karen Thomas Wilcox and her husband, Howard Wilcox of Needham, Massachusetts, and his nephew, Dustin Harriman Thomas of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Other survivors include his great-nieces, Amanda Thomas Lemmi and Hannah Victoria Thomas Manring, and great-nephew, John Lemmi, all of Louisiana. He was predeceased by his brother, James Dustin Thomas.

Bill’s family thanks the staff of The Victorian, Liberty Commons, and Broadreach Hospice for their exceptional care. The family will always be grateful for their kindness and for the way they made Bill feel loved and valued.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, October 19, at 11 a.m. at Newton Cemetery, Walnut Street, Newton, Massachusetts.