Council member Bill Thrash lost his long battle with cancer on May 22 and will be sincerely missed by family, friends and constituents. He was a Texas native who grew up in Oklahoma. He served on active duty with the US Army during Vietnam and also served in the Colorado National Guard.

He spent 23 years in the corporate world and transferred from Denver to Kennesaw in 1992. Shortly thereafter, he began volunteering on Kennesaw boards, including the Development Authority, Downtown Development Authority, Recreation & Culture Commission and Historic Preservation Commission.

Bill held leadership positions in the Cobb Municipal Association, Georgia Municipal Association, and  National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families. But Bill's passion was working with and supporting youth in the community. He spearheaded the formation of the Youth Council and founded the Kennesaw Teen Center. His leaves behind his wife Suzie, daughter Mandy and son Robbie.