Probation Association of New Jersey
Legislator's in District 10 honor William H. Thomas
Letter from Gov. Christie celebrating the life of William H. Thomas
In World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy Amphibious Forces and was a part of the Invasion of Normandy on D-Day. After Normandy, he served as a corpsman with the 3rd Marine Division on Guam and with the 6th Marine Division in China. Upon his return home to New Jersey, he attended Rutgers University and married the late Virginia Thomas. They had 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Bill was recognized by PANJ as a champion for the rights of victim's of crime after his granddaughter, Amanda Weingert, was murdered by a sex offender. Bill supported NJ's Probation Officer's safety issues for over 15 years.
Bill was also the recipient of the following awards: New Jersey Shore Award in 1997, the French Liberation Award in 1999 and also in 1999, the New Jersey Distinguished Service Award, and the First Probation Assn. of NJ Citizen of the year award, which was subsequently named after him by PANJ President George Christie in his honor. Military Service – World War II service in the U.S. Navy as a medical corpsman – Beach Evaluation Unit "Foxy 29" D-Day invasion of Normandy. Later served with 3rd Marine Division on Guam and with 6th Marine Division in China.
Post Military Education – Attended Rutgers and Insurance College of New York. Family – Married Virginia Harding, 4 married children and 8 grandchildren. Professional Activities – General Insurance Business, 20 years a Special Agent with Aetna Insurance Group and 15 years a partner in an independent insurance agency, The Maloy Agency.
Post Retirement Activities – Founded a Real Estate Appraisal and Inspection Service, The Maloy Agency – WHT Associates. Children Protection Activities – The study, investigation and designation of ways to protect our children from abuse and sex offenders for a period of 10 years. Founder and Trustee of the “Friends of Amanda Foundation.” New Jersey Government Activities – Served on the Governor"s Task Force to study the operation and effectiveness of the Adult Diagnostic Treatment Center at Avenel. Filed a minority report, recommending changes, some of which were put into effect. Served on the Governor"s Task Force, with Senator Robert Martin to study the treatment of the criminally insane. Study was successful in bringing about meaningful changes. Member of Board of Trustees – Woodbridge Developmental Center, Department of Human Services and Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center – Avenel Department of Corrections.
Testified before Senate and Assembly Hearings. Community and Special Interest Group Addresses –.New Jersey Press Association, Conference of Mayors, New Jersey Probation Officers Convention, New Jersey Prosecutors Annual Convention, Service and Veterans Organization. Legislative Activities – Active participation in effecting changes in the following legal actions, all to better protect our children – No Early Release, Revised Sentencing at Avenel, Civil Commitment Law, The Amanda Act (Juvenile Records), Peeping Tom Law.
Former Member of NJ State Parole Board Past Projects – Coordinator for Department of Human Services and Department of Corrections, "Paying Back Communities" and "Making a Difference" programs. William H. Thomas was born in Somerville, New Jersey and had been a lifelong resident of New Jersey and lived in Toms River, New Jersey. Bill Thomas spent 35 successful years in the General Insurance Business. First, for 20 years as a Special Agent with Aetna Insurance Group, then as a partner in an independent insurance agency for 15 years. He founded a Real Estate Appraisal and Inspection Service, from which he retired.
Over the years since his granddaughter"s death , Bill devoted countless hours of study and investigation to find better ways to protect our children from abuse and sex offenders. He was appointed to serve on the Governor's Task Force to study the operation and effectiveness of the Adult Diagnostic Center at Avenel. Bill filed a minority report; some changes were implemented. He also served on the Governor"s Task Force to study the treatment of the criminally insane with Senator Robert Martin. This study was successful in bringing about meaningful changes in their treatment. Bill was appointed and served on the Board of Trustees of the Woodbridge Developmental Center and the Adult Diagnostic Center – Avenel. He had testified before numerous Assembly and Senate Hearings and has had an active role in the following Legislative changes: No Early Release, Revised Sentencing at Avenel, Civil Commitment Law, The Amanda Act (Juvenile Records) and the Peeping Tom Law. Bill served as Coordinator for the Department of Human Services and Corrections projects, "Paying Back Communities" and "Making a Difference." He addressed various community and special interest groups including the New Jersey Press Association, the PANJ Annual Training Institute, the NJ Prosecutors' Convention and many service and Veterans groups.