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2011 SESSION
WHEREAS, William Hickerson Thomas, the executive director of the Hampton University Community Development Corporation, died on September 10, 2010; and
WHEREAS, a native of Alabama, William “Bill” Thomas was born on July 30, 1935, to loving parents William and Louise Thomas, and was one of four brothers; and
WHEREAS, a gifted student, Bill Thomas received a bachelor’s degree from Talladega College and a law degree from Howard University School of Law, where he was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; and
WHEREAS, Bill Thomas was a member of the state bar of Alabama and the District of Columbia bar and was admitted to practice before several United States District Courts, the United States Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Alabama; he was the first African American federal prosecutor in the Middle District of Alabama; and
WHEREAS, in addition to practicing law, Bill Thomas was also an admired federal administrator; one of the highlights of his career as a legal civil rights warrior was his appointment as regional civil rights director in the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare; and
WHEREAS, a passionate entrepreneur, Bill Thomas also established and operated two restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia, where he delighted in having customers enjoy his special recipe for barbecue ribs; and
WHEREAS, at the time of his passing, Bill Thomas served as the executive director of the Hampton University Community Development Corporation, where he was also the manager of the Hampton University Business Incubator; and
WHEREAS, respected for his leadership skills and business acumen, Bill Thomas identified projects to enhance the economic well-being of the Phoebus community; and
WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Bill Thomas will be greatly missed by his devoted wife, Shelia; children, William, Kimberly, Meredith, and Lewis, and their families; and his numerous other family members, friends, and admirers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the loss of a respected and admired Virginian, William Hickerson Thomas; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William Hickerson Thomas as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.