March 7, 2024

William Philip (Bill) Thomas
​ February 17, 1937 - March 3, 2024

William Philip (Bill) Thomas passed peacefully March 3 in his home surrounded by his children. Bill was born in Butte, Mont., on Feb. 17, 1937, to William Everett and Mayme Irene Thomas. As the oldest of six, he played an important role in helping care for his younger siblings. When Bill was 10 years old, the family joined their grandfather, affectionately called Tata, in Elliston. He said when he and his siblings first entered the Elliston Gulch, they thought they were in heaven. He never outgrew that sentiment.
At 16 years of age, Bill went to work on the Bob Lee Ranch at Snowshoe. He said he decided then and there he would work his way to becoming his own boss, and an entrepreneur was born.
In 1955, Bill and his brother Bob joined the Army and were soon on their way to California. He was stationed at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro. His brother Bob told him about a blond he saw wearing a cute hat at church, and the following Sunday, Bill was introducing himself to his California babe. Sparks flew and on Feb. 1, 1958, Marilyn Riley and Bill Thomas were married in Redondo Beach.
Bill bribed Marilyn away from her beloved ocean by promising her a black horse if she would move to Montana. And so began their adventure in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
They grew their family with the arrival of three daughters, Colleen in 1959, Laura in 1960 and Lynn in 1961. Their son, William Riley (Billy) was born in 1966.
Dad worked at the Luke Mine and for several area ranchers. In 1961, he was accepted to farrier school in California. The family packed up and moved to the sunny south. Dad shod horses for several of the local racehorse ranches in California but his Mamatana, as he called his home state, was whistling him north, and he answered the call.
Dad was a jack of all trades, working hard and finding ways to prosper. Besides shoeing horses in the summer and mining in the winter, he worked for the railroad and county road department, and built houses in Helena with his brothers. Always very independent and wanting to be his own boss, Bill owned several businesses over the years including a small sawmill and a trailer court. He and Mom owned the Elliston Store for 25 years. He added a laundromat and built the Elliston Post Office nearby. His last career adventure was realty school and selling local property, which was fitting since he bought and sold land in and around Elliston throughout the years.
Dad was the go-to guy and a blessing to the community. He gave from the heart, helping anyone who came to him whether for a loan, a handout, information or advice. As a pillar of the community for many years, his generous spirit will be remembered by many. He also led 4H, served on the school board and was a volunteer fireman and fire chief. History was a passion for dad, and he loved to read, mostly of the early days in Montana. He and mom wrote a history book, Elliston Days Gone By. He was a lifelong Catholic and a member of St. Theodore Mission Church in Avon.
Dad was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marilyn last April; his parents; his brothers Bob, Barney and Bruce; brother-in-law Jim; and sister-in-law Sherry; five grandchildren, Sammy Jo, Isaac, Benjamin, Jory and Maria.
He is survived by his children: Colleen & John Quigley, Laura and Steve Marks, Lynn and John Price, and Billy and Missi Thomas; his little sisters Sue and Sally; sister-in law Cheryl; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Larry Riley and Margie Minogue. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and a great-great granddaughter.
Memorials in Bill’s name can be made to the Elliston Fire Department, PO Box 65, Elliston, MT 59728; or Elliston EMS, PO Box 5, Elliston, MT 59728.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 605 Clark St., in Deer Lodge. Burial will follow at the Elliston Cemetery with a reception in the Elliston Gym.

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