William Thomson Jr., Pasadena Mayor Who Revitalized “Old Town” District, Dies

William “Bill” Thomson Jr., who as Pasadena’s 48th mayor spearheaded the transformation of Old Pasadena into a thriving business and arts district, died on Sunday. He was 89.

Thomson served as mayor from 1988 to 1990 after being elected to the City Council in 1981, where he remained until 1997. During his tenure, he was instrumental in bringing major sporting events to the Rose Bowl, including four Super Bowls and the 1994 World Cup.

Perhaps Thomson’s most lasting legacy was his role in creating what is now called the Old Pasadena business and arts district. The Doubletree Hotel was completed during his mayoral term, and the One Colorado Project groundbreaking occurred during his tenure as well.

Thomson helped establish Pasadena as a destination for major sporting events, bringing four Super Bowls to the Rose Bowl. The venue had also hosted events for the 1984 Summer Olympics and later secured the 1994 World Cup matches.

Beyond his elected positions, Thomson served as vice mayor from 1986 to 1988 and ran unsuccessfully for mayor again in 2015.

Thomson practiced intellectual property law, specializing in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical and computer technology litigation throughout his career alongside public service. He was admitted to the California State Bar on June 26, 1970, and his license became inactive on November 27, 2024. From 2009 until this year, he was a partner at Brooks Kushman P.C., focusing on patent litigation matters.

Born in Pennsylvania, Thomson moved his family to Pasadena when work brought him to the West Coast, according to the Pasadena Star News. His first attempt at elected office was running for school board “in opposition of a board at the time that was staunchly anti-integration.”

Thomson earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Bucknell University in 1957 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Georgetown University in 1963. He served as a lieutenant and captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with active duty in Germany.

His civic involvement extended far beyond elected office, including membership in the Tournament of Roses since 1974 and volunteer service since 1975. He was first elected to the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees in 2007 with two-thirds of the vote.

As board president in 2011, Thomson was re-elected with 86 percent of the vote and helped initiate the Pathway Project.

“Through the Pathway Project that I helped initiate, PCC has moved students from high school through Pasadena City College and on to four-year colleges and universities,” he said in 2015.

In May 2015, he helped raise more than $1 million in scholarships through the first “PCC Celebrates Student Success” Gala.

“PCC is a great college. I’m committed to continue working to make this great college even greater,” he said that year.

He also served as a founding board member of the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center and was honored at its 2024 annual benefit. His other board service included the Rose Bowl Operating Company, Pasadena Museum of History, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena Presbyterian Church and the Pasadena Veterans Committee.

Thomson is survived by his wife, Carol Thomson, a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices; three children, including Bill Thomson III; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 24, at 3 p.m. at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 585 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena.