Wallace C. Thomas, age 97, of Newtown, died peacefully in Danbury Hospital on March 20. Wally was born in Bridgeport in 1923 to the late Irvin F. Thomas and Mildred (Howe) Thomas.

He was a World War II veteran serving in the Army Air Corps.

He met the love of his life, Dorothy Krnyaich, in Bridgeport, where she had moved, having grown up in Ohio. They married in 1945. After his discharge from the Air Corps, he worked as a tool and die maker for Jenkins Valve before joining the Bridgeport Fire Department. He served the City of Bridgeport from 1950 until 1977. He retired at the rank of Lieutenant, while assigned to Engine 16. He also operated Curtis Venetian Blind Company with his partner, William Tickey, for 20 years. Wally and Dot enjoyed traveling and camping, raising their children to enjoy the outdoors, camping out in tents before switching to travel trailers, boating and water skiing, snow skiing, and enjoying mini bikes and motorcycles. After retiring, they especially enjoyed towing their Airstream trailer on trips throughout North America, as far north as Alaska, and south to Mexico City. They would spend winters in their Airstream, first at Land Yacht Harbor, in Melbourne, Fla., then at Paradise Park, in Punta Gorda, Fla. After Dot’s passing, Wally sold the Airstream and bought a winter home in Hobe Sound, Fla. He was a member of Bridgeport Area Retired Firefighters and was active in the Wally Byam International Airstream Club, serving a term as president of the Berkshire Unit.

He is survived by his four children, Terrence Thomas and wife, Carolyn, Judith Banks and fiancé, Donald Ragozzine, Timothy Thomas and wife, Carolyn, and Wallace Thomas, Jr, and wife, Barbara; his brother Leroy Thomas, two sisters-in-law, Jean Thomas and Nancy Joseph; eight grandchildren, Terrence Thomas, Jr, and wife, Michelle, Mara Ketchum, Brian Banks and wife, Karen, Jaime Richards and husband, Paul, Christopher Thomas, Timothy Thomas and wife, Lindsay, Allison Thomas, and Emily Thomas; 12 great-grandchildren, Terry Thomas III and wife, Mackenzie, Brianna Thomas, Alex Thomas, Annika Ketchum, Ava Ketchum, Gage Ketchum, Kali Banks, Josselyn Banks, Jonathan Richards, Andrew Richards, Mackenzie Thomas, and Lauren Thomas; one great-great-grandchild, Avery Sue Thomas; and many nephews, nieces, and their children and grandchildren.

Besides his wife and his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, June Fielding, Mildred Thomas, Shirley Hanson, and Millicent Wargo; a brother, Irvin Thomas; and son-in-law, Dennis Banks.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 25, at 10 am in the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. Interment with full military honors at Newtown Village Cemetery will follow. Calling hours will be Wednesday, March 24, 2021 from 5 to 7 pm. Masks are required and social distancing will be observed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bridgeport Firefighters Sick and Death Benefit Association, Bridgeport Fire Headquarters, 30 Congress Street, Bridgeport CT 06604.