William Thinnes

William "Bill" Thinnes, of Abilene, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, December 15, 2007. He was 60. Memorial services will be at 4 PM on Thursday, December 20, 2007 in the chapel at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A reception will follow services at the funeral home. Bill was born the son of Herbert Paul Thinnes and Rhea Frederika (Kreigh) Thinnes on December 17, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from high school in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Denver in Colorado. Bill married Frances Virginia Parramore in Abilene, Texas, on August 22, 1970. Soon after their marriage, Bill and Virginia moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Bill worked for ACNielsen. After a brief stay in Chicago, ACNielsen transferred him to Boston, Massachusetts. In 1974, Bill and Virginia left Boston and relocated to Abilene, where they have resided ever since. Bill started his work career in Abilene at Unitab. He soon transitioned into a job with the Abilene Independent School District (AISD), where he served for years as the district's director of technology. Bill retired from the AISD in 1998 and began a second career as a freelance computer consultant. After a stint advising Lone Star Transportation on their information technology (IT) needs, Bill broadened his consulting business to include individuals and charitable organizations. His current work focus found him actively supporting the IT side of Pensions Unlimited. It was a widely held belief among those he helped that there wasn't a computer problem he couldn't puzzle out or find the answer for. During his children's formative years, Bill was an active youth sports volunteer, coaching a variety of soccer, basketball and baseball teams. Through his volunteer coaching activities, Bill supported the outreach efforts of the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church. Bill's current volunteer cause that he donated time and expertise to was Rescue the Animals, SPCA. Bill was a loving husband, father, son and brother. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Thinnes, of Abilene; his mother, Rhea Thinnes of Hart, Michigan; two sons, William James Thinnes of Houston, Texas, and Mark Parramore Thinnes of Gresham, Oregon; two brothers, Joel H. Thinnes, of Hart, Michigan, and Dr. Steve Thinnes of Cedar City, Utah; and his two beloved dogs, Jack and Shelby. His father, Herbert Paul Thinnes, preceded Bill in death. The family encourages memorials be made to the following two charities, as Bill was a firm believer in their work: Rescue the Animals, SPCA, 4620 N. 1st, Abilene, Texas 79603 or Salvation Army, 1726 Butternut, Abilene, Texas 79602. Bill Thinnes was a kind and generous man and his family will miss him dearly.