William Arthur Thomas

William Arthur ‘Bill’ Thomas, 56, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, January 31, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center Cedar Rapids, from complications of cancer and COVID. He was born March 3, 1968, in Waterloo, the son of Philip and Mary (Fisher) Thomas.

Bill married Dianne Puetz on May 7, 1994. He worked for 31 years for Compass/Canteen vending services, which is how he became known as the “pop guy “at the Amana Whirpool Plant.

Bill loved hiking, and hunting for mushrooms. He also liked to spend time reading and watching sci-fi adventures and medieval tales. He loved music; Scottish music, blues, and new country were his favorites. Bill especially liked to cook and spend time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Dianne Thomas; daughter, Janiece Hillard of Calamus; son, Richard Thomas of Cedar Rapids; sisters: Cynthia Golden of Waterloo, and Pamela (Rick) Roth of Highland, IL; brother, Steven Thomas of Waterloo; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents, half-sister Carol Thomas, and brothers in law: Isaiah Golden Jr., Richard Puetz, and Roger Puetz.

Funeral services will be Monday, February 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11 at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family to distribute to nature causes close to Bill.