William John Thomas "Jack"

Sept 21, 1921 - April 21, 2014

Age 92, was born at home on the farm in Remsen, New York with pa's help. Passed away at home April 21. A large family dad being one of the oldest. He worked on the farm, went to school, worked at a farm store. He enlisted with his brothers during WWII. He was supposed to be a cook, but he knew how to type so AAF took him. Hon. Discharged as Sgt. He married and worked for Onieda Silver, moved to California and lived here 57 years. He retired as an Accounting Supervisor for the US Postal Service.

Dad was very creative, loved to paint, make home projects, celebrate holidays with friends and family, travel, cook, play Mexican train, watch TV-Dodgers, Wheel and Jeopardy.

He was preceded in death by parents Eva & Charles Thomas, sisters Margaret White, Catherine Hayes, Annabelle Rumble, Mary Andrews, Esther Thomas. Brothers Richard, Edward, Robert, Lloyd, and one grandson Leonard Mendez.

He is survived by daughters and son-in-laws, Louise & Bob Brandsma, Chino, Calif, Betsy Thomas, Chino, Calif, Elaine & George Gonzales, Monrovia, Calif, two grandchildren Valerie & Lorenzo, four great-grandchildren, Danielle, Joseph, Sandra & Angelina, sister Sally Sweeney, Tenino, Washington, Thomas Thomas, Bullhead City, Nevada and numerous nieces & nephews.

Special thanks to his loving caregivers Lydia Pagano and Bing Pagente, and special doctors and Vitas Hospice in the last weeks.

Service at Draper Mortuary, 811 N. Mountain, Ontario at 11AM May 10, and internment at Riverside National Cemetery, May 14, 1:45PM.

"The Ballad of William John"

I was born, so its been told,

on September, Twenty First,

the day was cold.

The year of Our Lord, nineteen

hundred, twenty one,

Summer just ended, Autumn begun.

Up in New York in Old Remsen Town,

in a rickety old house,

thats long tumbled down.

Three days old, alone in bed,

Look! Ma, Look!!

I can raise my head.

"Strong as a bull," they proudly say,

the favorite son,

if just for a day.

The town clerk recorded

a son number three, three girls first,

two boys then me.

"Enough" cried Ma, and if she had her say,

anymore brats would be given away.

"No" Pa scolded as he shook his head,

"we keep what we get", thats all that was said.

Six live ones later, four born dead.

The tale unfolds long, far beyon,

So here's the true story

of William John.