JOHN WILLIAM “BILL” THOMPSON

May 23, 1930 - September 17, 2011

Longtime Waitsburg, Washington resident, John William "Bill" Thompson, 81, died September 17, 2011, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, Walla Walla.

Family and friends may pay their respects from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m., Sunday, September 25, 2011, at Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, Wash. The funeral service was at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 26, 2011, at the First Christian Church, 604 Main Street, Waitsburg, Wash. Pastor Mike Ferrians will officiate. The graveside service and burial followed in the Waitsburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Waitsburg Historical Society through the funeral home.

Bill was born May 23, 1930, in Pompey's Pillar, Mont., to John William and Elizabeth Boller Thompson. He graduated from Palouse (Washington) High School. On October 23, 1984, he and Luella Anderson were married in Hawaii. He was the owner of Waitsburg Television Cable Company. Bill loved to travel with his wife in their motor home. A real "Cougar" fan, he rarely (if ever) missed a home football game. He was very community minded - involved in everything there was in which to be involved.

He served on the Waitsburg City Council, the Waitsburg Ambulance Board, Waitsburg Historical Society, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge, and B.P.O.E. Lodge #287 of Walla Walla, where he had served as president of the Wheelers.

He had also served as president of the Waitsburg Lions Club. He enjoyed visiting at the grocery store during the early morning hours as well as the hardware store later in the day where he picked up on the news and kidded around with his fellow "Burgites". He attended the Waitsburg First Christian Church.

Bill is survived by his wife at their home in Waitsburg; his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Ron McCauley of Walla Walla; three grandchildren: Barbie Keevey, Ron McCauley, Jr. and Mindy Stonebraker; four greatgrandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by six brothers: Bud, Fred, Wilbur, Lyle, Ted and Dale Thompson; one sister, Eva Jensen; his son, Sam Thompson and his daughter, Marcie Thompson. Friends may write memories and sign the online guestbook at www.mountainview-colonialdewitt.com.