Olner RayThompson

Olner Ray “Bill” Thompson

Bill Thompson went to join the Lord Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Weatherford, Texas.  Bill was born Jan. 23, 1918, in the Shady Grove community of Hunt County.  He was born to W. A. “Bud” and Josey Crump Thompson, where there were 10 siblings.

Mr. Thompson was the only one to live past 90 years of age.  This was one of his goals in the last years.

He worked for V. T. Banks for 57 years and was very proud of this accomplishment.  The Banks family was his family too.

He was a member of Ardis Heights Baptist Church, a life member of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Knights of Pythias of Texas and the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan.

He was blessed to talk about his hobby of working on tractors right up to when The Lord called him home.

He preceded in death by a daughter, Billye Carol Lynch; and wives, Viola Castner Thompson and Alene Isham Thompson.  Survivors are two daughters, Ann Steele and husband Kenneth of Blossom, Texas, and Linda Tulley and husband Billy of Weatherford, Texas; eight grandchildren and several great-and great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.  Services are at 2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Paul Gould officiating.  Interment is in Forest Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Lance Banks, Dewayne Wood, Rev. Joel Arnold, Tim Powell, Eric Castner and Charles Roberts.  Honorary pallbearer is Dr. James Nicholson.

The family request memorials be made to the Pythian Guest House, 5020 Sayle St., Greenville, Texas 75402.