William "Bill" Ervin Thomas, 79, of Burlington, Washington peacefully passed from this life with his wife, Cheryl by his side September 9, 2022. He was born January 4, 1943, in Silver City, New Mexico to William Hezekiah Thomas and Mildred Lois Mitchell Thomas . Bill was raised in Silver City, New Mexico and graduated with the Silver High School Class of 1961. Bill married Cheryl Hawn, a student at Western New Mexico University, in April of 1964.

His father-in-law offered Bill a job in the mining industry which led to jobs in the oil industry. He mined Uranium in Grants, NM, gold in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and worked on the oil spill cleanup of the Exxon Valdez in Alaska. He lived in several places throughout his life including Casper, Wyoming, Anchorage, AK, Thousand Oaks, CA and finally settling in Burlington, Washington in 1990.

Bill learned carpentry and quarry skills by working with his father. Bill could build anything from a small wall to a complete house. Bill had a love for fishing and hunting. He has fished and hunted in the most beautiful spots in Wyoming and Alaska. It was no secret he could fix, repair, or build anything and used that knowledge to run The Packaging Store in Burlington for 20 years with his wife, Cheryl.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Cheryl; daughters Robin Deeann Thomas Johns of Pflugerville, TX, Shawna Thomas (Ray Douglas) of Lake in the Hills, IL, and Demaree Thomas States, of Moore, OK. Grandchildren Makenna Johns (Jared Randig) and great-granddaughter Kylie Randig of Pinson, AL, Dakota Sowell (Jacob) and great-granddaughter Laramie Sowell and of Salado, TX, Kaylee Wuertzer (Chris) and great-grandsons Jude, Graham, and Thatcher Wuertzer of Dubuque, IA, Austin Carter (Winnie) of Norfolk, VA, Garrett States, of Moore, OK and Kyle Bean of Moore, OK.

He was the oldest of four children born to William and Mildred Thomas. Surviving siblings are Jerry L. Thomas of Burlington, WA, Reta A. Ramroth and (Edward) of Gilbert, AZ, Charles F. Thomas (Yvonne) of Alamogordo, NM, and niece Holly Aragon (Natalia) of Artesia, NM. Bill is proceeded by his parents in death.

Hawthorn Funeral Home of Mount Vernon, Washington, is providing cremation services and there will be no service at this time.

If desired, the family ask a donation to your favorite charity made in Bill's name in lieu of floral gifts.