Pasadena is mourning the loss of William “Bill” Thomson Jr., a former mayor and lifelong civic leader, who passed away on Sunday, August 17, at the age of 89.
For more than three decades, Thomson poured his energy into the city he came to call home. Serving on the Pasadena City Council from 1981 to 1997—and as mayor from 1988 to 1990—he was a steady presence during pivotal years in the city’s history. His leadership helped bring some of the Rose Bowl’s most defining moments to Pasadena, including the 1984 Olympic Games, UCLA football, four Super Bowls, and the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
But Thomson’s impact was never confined to elected office. He gave generously of his time to a wide circle of institutions that shaped Pasadena’s cultural and civic life: the Rose Bowl Operating Company, Pasadena City College, Rose Bowl Aquatic Center, Pasadena Museum of History, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena Presbyterian Church, and the Pasadena Veterans Committee, among others.
His first step into politics—opposing a school board that resisted integration—reflected the values that would guide his career: fairness, inclusion, and the belief that good government serves all its people. Those who worked alongside him remember not only his convictions but also his remarkable ability to listen, mediate, and bring people together in times of division.
Mayor Victor Gordo, who often sought Thomson’s advice, called him both a mentor and a friend. “Pasadena has lost a dedicated public servant who loved this city deeply,” Gordo said. “I will miss his wisdom, his counsel, and his friendship. Bill instilled in us the importance of delivering quality city services while maintaining fiscal responsibility—a tradition that still guides us today.”
To his son, Bill Thomson III, his father’s true legacy lay not in titles or achievements, but in his character. “He was unassuming, kind, and always went out of his way to make people feel welcome. He was the opposite of the sharp-tongued politician stereotype.”
Born in Pennsylvania, Thomson moved west when his work brought his family to Pasadena. From the start, he and his wife Carol embraced the city as their own. “Pasadena quickly became very important to both my father and my mother,” his son said.
Former Councilmember Rick Cole, who served with Thomson for ten years, recalled the deep respect he had for his colleague—even when they disagreed. “Bill always cared about doing what he believed was right, not just for himself or his district, but for Pasadena as a whole. When debates grew tense, we’d meet over breakfast, find common ground, and move forward. That was his gift.”
Even in his final months, Thomson’s humor and humility shone through. During a visit with Mayor Gordo and former Mayor Bill Bogaard at the Californian Convalescent Hospital, the three men swapped stories from their time in office. When Gordo asked if he could bring him anything, Thomson asked simply for a red-and-white striped mint. “I invite everyone to enjoy one of those mints and remember Bill,” Gordo said, “a great friend and a true servant of this city.”
Thomson is survived by his wife Carol, three children, and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 24, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 585 E. Colorado Blvd.
