William Thomas Jr.(1947-2020)

Rev. Dr. William "Butch" Thomas, Jr. William "Butch" Thomas, Jr. was born in Columbus, Ohio, to the union of William Thomas, Sr. and Thelma (Hunt) Thomas. He attended Garfield Elementary School and Champion Junior High and Linden McKinley High School from which he graduated in 1965. He was a life-long member of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. Bill grew up and matured in Christ at Woodland Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. The church gifted him with a piano, which began his long and storied career as a musician, singer, actor, teacher, and pastor. Having been blessed with a beautiful tenor singing voice, he was a participant in the elite music groups in his high school. After graduating from Linden McKinley, Bill enrolled at The Ohio State University, where he majored in and graduated with a degree in sociology in 1970. During his time at The Ohio State University (OSU), he was one of only a few African American men who sang in the Men's Glee Club. After graduating from OSU, Bill's desire was to be on the "big stage" in New York. In the fall of 1971, Bill became the minister of music while working on Broadway. He appeared in the original production of the popular off-Broadway production, Godspell, as well as Your Arms Too Short to Box with God and he played Jacob in the original Broadway cast of La Cage Aux Folles. He appeared in the Bold and the Beautiful, Mambo Kings, Bruce Almighty, and Surviving Christmas. He made many commercials including being the principal in two long running commercials for Coast Soap. He played Cool Charles in the comedy, Frank's Place (which he was nominated for an NAACP Image Award) and he had a lead role in Stephen Bochco's Cop Rock. His most notable role came in the final season of The Cosby Show where he played Vanessa Huxtable's fiancé, Dabnis Brickey. When Bill moved to Los Angeles and in 2009, he was called to pastor, and came to deeply love, the congregation of the Little White Chapel in Burbank, where he served until the time of his transition. Bill earned his Master of Divinity and his Doctor of Ministry at the Claremont School of Theology. While both his faith and music were central in his life, his family maintained the starring role.