Bill Thompson III, publisher and editor of "Bird Watcher's Digest," died March 25. He had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in December. He was 57 years old.
Bill was author of several books, wrote a blog, led field trips, made wonderful music as singer and musician, and contributed much to the birding community through his magazine and personally.
The few times I saw him he was happy, positive, smiling, a positive force for birds and birding.
He is survived by his wife, artist Julie Zickafoose, and two children.
In 2008 he was awarded a Service Citizen Award from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for his help in making the National Wildlife Refuge system more bird and birder-friendly. He also received the Robert Ridgway Award for Excellence in Ornithological Publications from the American Birding Association.
He will be missed by many people for many reasons.
