Willis Alan J. Thomas, 96 of Lincolnville, Maine, passed away on January 12, 2025 following a brief illness.

Alan was born in Lincolnville, Maine on February 24, 1928, the son of Herbert E. and Abbie Richards Thomas. He was educated in Lincolnville and Belfast schools and received his diploma from Crosby High School at the age of 91.

A World War II Veteran, Alan was proud of his service to the country in the U.S. Navy where he was in gunnery. The first ship he served on was the Little Rock, based out of Norfolk, Virginia and Providence, Rhode Island. He traveled to Puerto Rico and Guantanamo, Cuba. He was also on the destroyer USS Shannon and went to Antarctica.

While in the service, he learned to cut hair and once gave 42 haircuts in one day to his shipmates. His rank at the time of his discharge was FC3C, Fire Control Third Class. Alan went on a military goodwill tour through Europe after WW II and traveled to 13 countries where he saw the destructive aftermath of the war.

Alan worked as a union pipefitter and pipe welder for 26 years. During that time, he worked at nine nuclear power plants located in various southern states and throughout New England.

Alan retired at the age of 62 to enjoy his cottage on Coleman Pond and to spend more time hunting deer and moose. He also enjoyed moose-looking in the north Maine woods. Alan was an avid outdoorsman. He loved the hunt and shot his last deer this past November.

Alan was a member of the VFW and American Legion and was a 32-degree Mason for nearly 70 years. He enjoyed helping new Masons learn their parts in their degree advancement. He served the Town of Lincolnville as a selectman and a member of the Budget Committee, and he was a board member of the Lincolnville Historical Society.

Those who knew him will remember Alan as a man who always enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was known for his love of telling stories and jokes. He was a kind and gentle man, and he always looked for ways to help others out.

Alan was predeceased by his sister, Phyllis Thomas Bohrer, and five brothers, Pearson, Perry, Paul, Howard, and Roland Thomas. He was also predeceased by the mother of his children, Ann Boardman Thomas.

He is survived by a daughter, Alanna Brown and her husband Matthew, of South Thomaston; two sons, Peter Thomas, of Lincolnville, and Thomas Thomas and his wife, Cheryl, of Camden; six grandchildren, Reuben Brown, Autumn Brown, Thomas Thomas II, Christopher Thomas, Mary Trip, and Zachary Thomas, numerous great and great-great grandchildren, his long-time companion Ava Jackson, and many nieces and nephews.

Plans for a service will be announced at a later date.