William Ronald Thomas

William R. “Bill” Thomas passed away early in the morning on March 23rd after listening to his beloved Gators win their basketball game. He was at home with family. Bill retired from the Orange County Public Schools as an Associate Superintendent for Special Services. Earlier, he served many years as Director of Exceptional Education and positively impacted many students and educators. He attended Indiana State University where he studied counseling and psychology, played baseball and basketball, and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He served in the Army. Later, he attended the University of Florida where he earned his doctoral degree in educational leadership. He loved his Hoosier roots. In his retirement, Bill reestablished his friendships in his hometown of Vincennes, Indiana, splitting his time between Indiana and Florida. Family members include his wife Robbie, daughters Kathy Friedle (Chris), Janet Quinlan, and Britt Gardner and son, Michael Thomas. He also considered his international host student, Sonia Cheung Chang, one of his children. There are seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild (Nick, Kyle, Kaley, Alyssa, TJ, Maria, Phoenix, and Kiersten). He has one sister, Jo Thomas (Kathy Ebinger) and one brother John Paul “Jay” Thomas, Jr. (Kathy). He was preceded in death by his parents John Paul and Gertrude Thomas. Bill embraced his work in advancing the understanding and valuing of diversity and considered it a privileged opportunity. While he was a humble man, never seeking the center of attention, his calm and persistent fairness in the treatment of others drew attention. Bill’s wife, Robbie, shared: “For 35 years, I was married to my best friend who modeled the kind of person that I aspire to be.” As a board member and previous president of the Florida Safety Council, Bill found a way to contribute back to the community. In Indiana, he was involved in the hosting of international students at Vincennes University and a fan of Rivet girls’ basketball. He was also a contributor to the Central Florida Jazz Society and WUCF-FM Jazz & More. He was proud to be a member of the Gator Nation. Bill had many friends. He loved golf and in earlier years had played basketball weekly with his buddies. They would regularly meet after basketball at Burton’s Bar in Thornton Park. The “Thursday night wives” learned that men nurture men in unique ways and were most thankful for those times their spouses had together. Assisting in Bill’s passage were the comforting hands of Vitas hospice nurses and staff. With great dignity and respect they provided support for Bill and his family. A “Celebration of Life” will be held for Bill on April 5th at Casa Feliz (656 N. Park Avenue) in Winter Park, Florida. The gathering will be from 5:30 to 8:00 with the program beginning at 6:00. Family and friends are invited to share reflections about this modest man who made a subtle but profound impact on others. Osceola Memory Gardens in St. Cloud website (www.osceolamemgds.com) is the host site for comments of remembrance. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that contributions be made to “UCF Jazz Studies” (UCF Music Department, c/o Jeff Rupert, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816-1354).

William Ronald Thomas

November 8, 1935 - March 23, 2012