William Kernahan Thomas
Encyclopedia
William Kernahan Thomas (February 15, 1911 – March 20, 2001) was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Columbus, Ohio
, Thomas received a B.A.
from Ohio State University
in 1932 and a J.D.
from Ohio State University College of Law in 1935. He was in private practice in Cleveland, Ohio
from 1935 to 1944. He was a U.S. Naval Reserve Lieutenant during World War II
, from 1944 to 1946. He was in private practice in Cleveland, Ohio
from 1946 to 1950. He was a judge on the Court of Common Pleas, Geauga County, Ohio from 1950 to 1953. He was a judge on the Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County, Ohio from 1953 to 1966.
Thomas was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
. Thomas was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson
on January 19, 1966, to a seat vacated by Paul J. Jones
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on March 4, 1966, and received his commission on March 7, 1966. He assumed senior status
on February 15, 1981. Thomas served in that capacity until March 20, 2001, due to his death.
He died in Cleveland, Ohio
.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, Thomas received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
in 1932 and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Ohio State University College of Law in 1935. He was in private practice in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
from 1935 to 1944. He was a U.S. Naval Reserve Lieutenant during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, from 1944 to 1946. He was in private practice in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
from 1946 to 1950. He was a judge on the Court of Common Pleas, Geauga County, Ohio from 1950 to 1953. He was a judge on the Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County, Ohio from 1953 to 1966.
Thomas was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio is the federal trial court for the northern half of Ohio...
. Thomas was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
on January 19, 1966, to a seat vacated by Paul J. Jones
Paul J. Jones
-External links:...
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on March 4, 1966, and received his commission on March 7, 1966. He assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on February 15, 1981. Thomas served in that capacity until March 20, 2001, due to his death.
He died in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
.