Bill Thompson
Funeral services for William “Bill” Clyde Thompson were held on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Eighth Avenue Baptist Church in Teague.
Bro. Roy Prather officiated. Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the U. S. Visitation was held on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, from 5-7 p.m. at Bowers Funeral Home. Mr. Thompson passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, at Providence Hospice Place in Waco. William Clyde Thompson was born on Sept. 7, 1950, in Texarkana, Texas, to parents Clarince Wilson and Eloise Gauntt Thompson. He attended and graduated from New Boston High School in 1969. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1970 and served his country for six years. During his time in the service, he became a Nuclear Plant Operator on the USS Enterprise.
After leaving the Navy he met his wife, Kathy Burleson. They married on March 3, 1977; sharing more than 45 years together.
They made a home in Texarkana, raising both of their sons there. Bill worked for the Federal Prison until he retired at the age of 51. After retirement, he got his
Bill T hompson dream job at ESPN, where he planned and facilitated several bass fishing tournaments for nine years. Bill and Kathy made Teague their home shortly after the birth of their first grandchild. Bill was a member of Eighth Avenue Baptist Church.
Bill battled cancer for the last 21 years of his life. As many of you know, Bill did not allow the illness, or the countless appointments and procedures he endured, to interfere with being a husband, daddy and most of all, a Pappy.
Over the years, he attended countless volleyball and basketball games as well as the many other activities his granddaughters participated in such as showing heifers, speaking at banquets or even just having lunch with them at school. Being a part of all these activities over the years is what kept him fighting such a horrible illness.
Bill fought a good fight all the way to his last breath on earth and his first breath in Heaven where he was welcomed by his Lord and Savior, along with family and friends.
Mr. Thompson is survived by his wife, Kathy Thompson; two sons, Tim Parolini and wife April, and Kenneth Thompson and wife Cristan; three granddaughters, Caelyn, Kendall, and Kameryn Thompson; nephew, Alex Griffith and wife Brenda; numerous cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews; and his dog an Irish Setter, Bronson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eloise Gauntt Thompson and Clarince Wilson Thompson; two siblings, Elizabeth (Aunt Liz) Griffith, and Edward (Uncle Bud) Thompson; one niece, Karinda Griffith; and his father and mother-in-law, Jack and Bonnie Burleson.
The family would like to send a special thanks to MD Anderson, Dr. Hans Lee, Dr. Eric Jonash & PA Rebecca Lu - treating Physicians over his time visiting MD Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Eighth Avenue Baptist Church or St. Katherine’s Hospice -Providence Village.
Please visit our website at www.bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or to leave a message for the family.