William “Bill” Thomas, Jr.

from the Pacific Southwest region

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Thomas Jr. on Saturday, November 14, after battling a series of health issues. Bill most recently served as the Senior Pastor for Little White Chapel in Burbank and has been a beloved leader in the Pacific Southwest Region for over 35 years.   

Bill was born in Ohio and comes from a long line of Disciples of Christ generations. His ministry began at the young age of 16, when he became the choir director and organist of his church in Woodland, Ohio. For decades, Bill continued to provide musical leadership for churches from New York to California, and served as a music leader for General Assemblies throughout the late 90s and 2000s.   

Bill has been an integral part of the Pacific Southwest Region (PSWR) since 1986, when he became the organist for 30th Street Christian Church in Los Angeles. Shortly after that, he served as the Director of Music for Church of the Valley for over a decade before receiving a pastoral call from Little White Chapel. His leadership within the PSWR was not just limited to music, as he also served on the Regional Board and spearheaded a few of our recent Regional Assemblies/Gatherings. Bill is also widely known throughout the Claremont School of Theology community due to the years he spent in seminary and earning his doctorate degree.  

Outside of church, Bill spent a number of years performing on Broadway before heading to Los Angeles, where he worked in the TV and film industry. He can be seen in the movie “Bruce Almighty” and in several episodes of “The Cosby Show.”  

Bill is survived by his husband Rev. Dr. Michael Kosik, who is the pastor of Church of the Valley and Little Brown Church. Cards of condolence can be sent to Michael at Church of the Valley – 6565 Vesper Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91411. Cards of condolence to the Little White Chapel congregation can be sent to 1711 N. Avon Street, Burbank, CA 91505.   Memorial service information is not yet available but will be included in upcoming Regional communications.