William Thomas

Rev. William Thomas, former pastor of St. John Catholic Church and St. Mary of the Springs, Hot Springs, died on Friday May 18, 2012 in Hot Springs following a lengthy illness. Father Bill was born in St. Louis on Nov. 14, 1937, and received his early education there. He entered the Franciscan Order and was professed as a Franciscan brother. His earliest contact with the Diocese was in his work at Morris School, Searcy. After prayerful discernment, Bill was accepted for priestly studies for the Diocese of Little Rock, and was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on Nov. 11, 1993, having also obtained a Masters of Divinity Degree from Sacred Heart Seminary, Hales Corners, Wis. His first assignment as a priest was as associate pastor, St. John, Hot Springs, followed by assignments as pastor at Our Lady of Good Hope, Hope and its Mission of Ashdown, St. Michael, West Memphis, St. John, Hot Springs, St. John, Russellville, and finally, St. Mary, Hot Springs. Bill will long be remembered as a priest who loved being a priest. It was a calling that totally consumed his life, and he exuded a joy and happiness befitting a priest of Jesus Christ. A joyful person by nature, he was a compassionate and loving priest, with a special devotion to the sick. His love of the Blessed Mother was something that sustained him in his priestly work. He died a happy priest. Preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Marie Aholt, Bill is survived by his sisters, Kathy Voss, Linda Whitener, Susan Ficken, Jean Bertrand, and one brother, Gerard Aholt. Condolences can be sent to the family at 1050 Persimmon Creek Drive, Bishop, Ga. 30621. At Father Bill's request memorials should be directed to the Carmelite Convent, 7201 W. 32nd Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72204. A Rosary will be prayed at St. Mary of the Springs, Hot Springs, on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Little Rock, at Noon on Monday, May 21. A luncheon for family and priests will be provided in McDonald Hall immediately following the funeral. Burial will take place at St. Paul Cemetery, Searcy on Monday afternoon. Arrangements are by Gross Funeral Home. Guest register at http://www.grossfuneralhome.com.