William Thompson

William “Bill” R. Thompson, age 82, of Rotunda West, FL, formerly of Maple Park, IL, passed away Monday, September 26, 2016 in Florida where he had made his home since 2002.
Bill was born on January 12, 1934 in Elgin, IL, but grew up his first few years in Plato Center, IL. When he was only three years old, the family moved to Chicago where he attended local schools. When Bill was 16, the family moved once more to Beith Rd. in Maple Park, IL.
Bill graduated from Elburn High School with the class of 1952.
Bill was very proud of his military career which began in the Navy Reserves Seabee Division. His dedication for his country never ceased, though he did retire from the United States Navy after 26 years of service as a Navy Chief.
Myrtie Ellen Thomas was the apple of his eye and the holder of his heart. They were united in marriage in 1953 in Elburn.
They made their home in Maple Park while Bill found work in construction with Jerry and Stan Henderson. Bill began working for RCA Associates in North Aurora once he became a journeyman carpenter. While at RCA, he rose to the rank of Construction Superintendent and was an integral part of building Prestbury subdivision in Sugar Grove. When he began working for Blount Brothers Construction in 1981, Myrtie Ellen put on traveling shoes and followed Bill to many states including Michigan, Massachusetts, back to Illinois, out to California and eventually making their home once more in Illinois. He was hired to work for Chris Baldwin Builders in St. Charles, as well as Dave Peterson Builders, also in St. Charles. Beginning in 1992, Bill took the family up to Knights Templar Club in Summit Lake, WI, whenever he could and enjoyed their Northwood’s cottage. In 2002, Bill and Myrtie Ellen began making their home in Rotunda West, FL, where they enjoyed all the benefits of retirement.
Bills hardworking hands helped to build a myriad of projects ranging from a missile site in Oscoda, MI, the BART Transit Building in Braintree, MA, the Motorola Building in Schaumburg, IL to the buildings at the University of California in Davis, CA. He left his finger prints when he reached for the heavens, building a skyscraper in San Francisco before coming home to make the AT&T building in Chicago a reality.
Bill was a faithful member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice, FL, the AF & AM Blackberry Lodge #359 and the Scottish Rite. He also could be counted to “grab his partner and promenade” in the square dancing club, The Sugar Squares.
Bill was one of the founders of the De-Kane Snowtrackers snowmobile club in the early 1970’s. He also taught snowmobile safety courses for the state of Illinois and Wisconsin throughout the 1970’s.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Myrtie Ellen Thompson; four children: Penny (Ted) Berry, Roger Thompson, Kristi (Ted) Weydert andTammy (Tim) Siebens; one daughter-in-law, Lori Thompson; nine grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends in many of the fifty states.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Alvina Thompson; one daughter Debra Lynn Thompson; his mother and father-in-law, Francis and Clarice Thomas as well as one great-granddaughter, Alex Noel Siebens.
Following services in Florida, local visitation will be Monday, October 3, 2016 from 10-10:45 a.m., at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A funeral service to celebrate his life will follow at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home, with interment at Blackberry Township Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in his name to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the American Legion Post #630, Elburn, IL. Checks may be made to the “William Thompson Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

A funeral service to celebrate his life will follow at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home.

Following services in Florida, local visitation will be Monday, October 3, 2016 from 10-10:45 a.m., at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL..

Blackberry Township Cemetery