William 'Bill' Thompson

IN MEMORY OF
WILLIAM J. “BILL” THOMPSON

BORN
March 21, 1949
Primghar, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
October 28, 2011
Sioux City, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 2, 2011
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church; Primghar, Iowa
Father Tim Hogan ~ Officiating

Visitation will be after 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 1, 2011 with the family present from 5 to 7 P.M. with a scripture wake at 7 P.M. at the St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Primghar

MUSIC
“Here I Am Lord”
“Let There Be Peace On Earth”
“Prayer of St. Francis”
“Be Not Afraid”
C.D. “What a Wonderful World”
Cantor: Nancy Williams
Organist: Norma Weber

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Nieces and Nephews
CASKET BEARERS
Todd Barry Jack Black
Daryl Triplett Scott Sieperda
Dave Steffens Derek Griebel
Steve Cole Matt Cole

FINAL RESTING PLACE
Calvary Cemetery ~ Primghar, Iowa

After the graveside service, relatives and friends are invited
to join the family in the Primghar Community Building.

Arrangements under the care of the
Eldridge Family Funeral Home; Primghar, Iowa
WILLIAM J. “BILL” THOMPSON
William John Thompson was born on March 21, 1949 in Primghar, Iowa and was a lifelong resident. He was the son of John Emmett and Eleanor (Cairy) Thompson. He attended Primghar Community School and graduated in 1967. He was united in marriage with Mary Helfter on November 9, 1985 in Primghar. He passed away on October 28, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Sioux City of complications related to diabetes.
Bill worked at Norman Brothers while in high school. After graduation he was a salesman at Nagle’s Farm Store. He continued in the same position after Jack and Clara Black purchased the store, selling Golden Sun Feed and a variety of other farm products. Eventually he became a US Cellular agent. He was employed there until March 2010.
Bill also was a member of the ambulance team, umpired, wrote sports stories, broadcast South O’Brien football on KIWA radio, and more recently contributed his “In My Opinion” column to the O’Brien County Bell.
Bill loved to cook, gather with family and friends, attend sports events, ballroom dance, play the drums, golf, promote Primghar and South O’Brien, attend more sports events, visit with anyone, tell stories, and cheer for the Hawkeyes.
He volunteered in a variety of ways. He announced at parades, Figure 8 races, Prom grand march, and at many HS sports events. He was the greeter at many fund raisers, helped organize RAGBRAI events in Primghar, coached HS softball with his wife in the 1980s, coached a women’s softball team, and donated a spaghetti or fried chicken meal to many groups.
Bill was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Primghar. He enjoyed serving mass while in school, was a lector and Eucharistic minister, was a HS youth group sponsor and helped teach confirmation. He was also a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bill is survived by his wife: Mary Helfter; brothers and sisters: Jim and Joan Thompson of Primghar, Mary and Dave Newell of Primghar, Pat and Dick Lucas of Algona, and Maureen Thompson of Primghar; many nieces, nephews, and in-laws; aunts and uncle: Mary Anita (Cairy) Sheridan of Primghar and Alma (Cairy) and Frank Baker of Mesa, Arizona; many “favorite” cousins; almost-family: Lynn, Steve, and Matt Cole, and Jen Griebel and family; and many friends whom he considered his extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Eleanor and John Thompson.