Wilson Eugene Thomas was born December 31, 1930 to Lewis Thomas and Lorraine Raper of Bauxite, Arkansas.   He passed away at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, on October 16, 2020.  He was 89.

As a young child, Wilson's parents divorced and he moved to Southern California with his mother, who later married Leonard Duarte.  His father Lewis remarried, and he and Elsie Robinson had three children, Jessie Thomas (Mitchell), William "Bill" Thomas and James "Jim" Thomas (Leann) of Benton, Arkansas.

Wilson grew up in Lone Pine and Bishop and was active in school sports and rodeo.  He cowboyed from Bridgeport to Lone Pine until eventually moving to Yerington, Nevada in the early 1950s to work at the Sweetwater Ranch for Eddie Clyne.  He has been on the Nevada State 4-H board, was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the Nevada State Horsemen's Association, the Board of Directors of the Nevada Reined Cow and Cutting Horse Association and the local and national Arabian Associations.

Wilson was a renowned horse trainer and worked for Overlook Arabians in the late 1960s.  He was world famous for training and showing Jameel Razah (Grey Ghost) who captured the world Title International Arabian Cutting Horse in 1966 and 1967.

Wilson meet Donna Jeanne Balaam in 1953 and the two were married in April 1955 and settled in Yerington, NV.  They have five children and spent their life ranching, training and showing horses and raising their family.  Wilson and Jeanne divorced in 1992 and he later married Judith Rawlings.  They moved from their White Mountain Ranch north of Bishop, California to Benton, Arkansas to be closer to his Arkansas family in 2004.  The two shared a wonderful life until Judy passed away in 2007.  Wilson returned to Yerington shortly after where he remained until his death.  Wilson and Jeanne later rekindled their friendship which he relished until his death.

Wilson was preceded in death by his parents, his half-brother Bill, his wife Judy, and two step- daughters, Cheryl and Christy. Next of kin includes his five children Terry Thomas (Kathy), Toni Thomas Inserra, Tammy Thomas Hoover, Tricia Thomas Umphries (Ed) and Tracy Thomas.  Wilson enjoyed time with this family and his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He leaves behind many friends who he cherished throughout his life.  He will always be remembered as a true gentleman cowboy.  Wilson will be buried in his family plot in Benton, Arkansas.

At this request there will be no services.  Family and friends are invited to sign his online guest book at www.FRFH.net .

Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, Nevada 89447 (775) 463-2911