William James Thomas, ("Bill" or "Billy Jim") to close friends and relatives) was most widely known in the world of sport by a third-generation nickname, "Jinx Thomas."  He was a Buffalo, Missouri native who, after excelling as a ball player both for Buffalo High School and Southwest Missouri State College, paid his own mentoring and preparation forward. He became a tenured professor providing SMS classroom instruction for over 40 years.  But it was his role as Head Coach of the Southwest Missouri State Bears that basketball fans from the era remember to this day.  From 1964 to 1980, Jinx Thomas and the Bears filled arenas across the Midwest with thrilling basketball.  The collective history of Missouri sports clearly documents a time in the region when "Jinx Thomas" was a household name.

Bill Thomas passed away peacefully on April 15, 2023 at The Manor at Elfindale in Springfield.

Born on October 4, 1931, Bill lived an iconic American coming-of-age story. He was the only child of Glenn H. Thomas and Willa (Vaughan, Thomas, Mackey). The family lived in Urbana, Missouri until Bill was eight, then moved to Buffalo where Bill's charm and natural athleticism gained acclaim in a small town that took its sports teams seriously. Buffalo watched their basketball star grow up and grieved with him and his mother when, at 16, his father died.  Bill and his mother braved the loss together, evidence of a bond that endured until she passed in 1996.   His three uncles, Slavens Vaughan, Pete Vaughan, and Hadley Thomas were instrumental in guiding their young nephew toward young adulthood.  Uncle Hadley's knowledge of farming appealed to Bill in a way that inspired a lifelong interest in land, cattle and horses.

Bill became acquainted with a young lady named Theresa Peters, a bright-eyed beauty who was just plain fun.  The middle daughter of another Buffalo family, Theresa was a standout, a sparkler.  She became Bill's high school sweetheart, then wife and mother of three children and devoted "Nana" to seven.   Theresa was inspiration, witness and ambassador to every aspect of Bill's public and private life for almost 53 years until her passing on January 13, 2005.

Theresa was among the Buffalo High School cheerleaders present when Bill and his scrappy teammates challenged players from larger cities for the 1949 state basketball championship.

At this time, high school championships in Missouri encompassed not divisions or Class groupings, but the entire state.  The small-town Buffalo Bisons, coached by Eddie Matthews, claimed the coveted state title in McDonald Arena at Southwest Missouri State College.  In a short time, his future on the SMS campus would begin to unfold as he studied for a degree and continued to play the game he loved.   Exceptionally talented, Bill and his college teammates worked hard and played their way to the top of the NAIA. (National Champions in both 1952 and 1953).   Bill was selected as an NAIA All-American in 1953.

Bill and Theresa married and welcomed children.  Bill earned a graduate degree at the University of Missouri and accepted a position as assistant (1956-1964) to Eddie Matthews, who was by then the head basketball coach at SMS.  When Eddie passed away unexpectedly, Bill was chosen to carry on after his mentor's exemplary career.  In the years afterward, his teams achieved eight Conference Titles in the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and three runner-up titles in the NCAA, Division II.  Bill himself was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame, the Missouri State University Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame. The National Association of Basketball Coaches named him NCAA Division II Coach of the Year in 1974.  His excellence as a classroom teacher in the Physical Education Department was honored as well. His name is engraved on the MSU Wall of Fame recognizing Outstanding Faculty and Staff.

Bill retired in 1997, enjoying his retirement years with his family. He and Theresa were particularly avid golfers. Bill was a proud member of the Seniors' Golf Group, playing courses throughout the area. He supported the MSU Alumni organization and served a year as president. Because of a love of horses and cattle, Bill fulfilled a dream by buying a farm. He also enjoyed going to Sunday School at Second Baptist Church. He attended every SMS/MSU game possible and remained in touch with relatives, old friends and other members of the now legendary "Fabulous Four." Bill and three other members of the 1953 championship team were the only remaining four players after all other SMS players had fouled out of an emotionally charged NAIA semi-final game.  Relentless, the Fabulous Four broke a 72-72 tie in the final three minutes, winning the game 84-78. The heat of that game and tenacity of the players has become MSU sport legend.  Bill's replica jersey is displayed in the Great Southern Arena honoring his career.

Bill's children Michael G. (Suzanne), William James Jr., "B.J." (Diane) and Lynn Huff (Jim) honor their father's affection and his legacy.  Grandchildren Amy, Adam, Austin, Sarah, Jonathan, Preston and Baily will lovingly convey to Bill's seven great-grandchildren the remarkable history of their great-grandfather, a real-life sports hero.

A final tribute must be made to Bill's strong, gentlemanly character.  It seems appropriate that Charlie Spoonhour, Bill's coaching assistant and eventually a Bears Basketball Head Coach himself, enjoyed referring to Jinx Thomas as being "rather like our own John Wayne."   And so he was.

Services will be at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole.  Visitation will be on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:30 pm in the chapel.  A private burial will take place prior to the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Coach Bill Thomas Men's Basketball Scholarship, Missouri State University Foundation, 300 South Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO 65806. Online contributions can also be made on the Missouri State University Foundation website .

Click the link below to watch a memorial slideshow.

William Bill Thomas Slideshow - YouTube