<P> Bill Thomas ( Thalmus Rasulala ) is Mabel 's ex-husband and the father of Roger and Dee . He divorced Mabel , ran out on his family , and became a shady character . When he first appears , he tries to con Mabel out of money . Later episodes in which he appears depict him in a more positive light and culminate with his marriage to Lee Henderson ( Lee Chamberlin ) . After his marriage , Bill was never seen again on the show , although he is mentioned . On follow - up series What 's Happening Now ! ! , he guest starred in that show 's Season 2 premiere episode `` Nadine 's Surprise '' . In that particular episode , it was explained that him and Roger had a strained relationship since he remarried and the latter 's wife Nadine had planned a surprise reunion because Bill was planning to make amends with his estranged son . </P>
<P> Bill Thomas ( Thalmus Rasulala ) is Mabel 's ex-husband and the father of Roger and Dee . He divorced Mabel , ran out on his family , and became a shady character . When he first appears , he tries to con Mabel out of money . Later episodes in which he appears depict him in a more positive light and culminate with his marriage to Lee Henderson ( Lee Chamberlin ) . After his marriage , Bill was never seen again on the show , although he is mentioned . On follow - up series What 's Happening Now ! ! , he guest starred in that show 's Season 2 premiere episode `` Nadine 's Surprise '' . In that particular episode , it was explained that him and Roger had a strained relationship since he remarried and the latter 's wife Nadine had planned a surprise reunion because Bill was planning to make amends with his estranged son . </P>
who played the father on what 's happening
who played the father on what 's happening
Thalmus Rasulala
Thalmus Rasulala