William Lewis Thomas

William Lewis Thomas (30 June 1913 — 1 February 1995 (aged 81)) born in Ystradgynlais, was a rugby union and rugby league footballer of the 1930s and '40s, playing club level rugby union (RU) for Ystradgynlais RFC, and Neath RFC, as a Scrum-half, and playing club level rugby league (RL) for Ystradgynlais RLFC. He captained Ystradgynlais RFC in 1937/38, and played for Neath RFC between the years of 1938 and 1941, and then for a further season in 1946. He was one half the then famous pre-war halfback partnership, alongside Welsh international outside half W. E. Jones, he died in Ystradgynlais.

He played in two final Welsh trials but lost out on selection to Swansea Scrum Half Haydn Tanner on both occasions.

Thomas also played rugby league for his home village team of Ystradgynlais RLFC in 1949. Ystradgynlais RLFC played in the Welsh League (1949-55), and they also played host to St. Helens, Wakefield Trinity, and Halifax.