William Henry Thompson

• 

Thompson, William Henry Bill Thompson (94), of "The Greatest Generation," was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery with Military Honors on January 6th. Bill grew up near the rose garden at Lake Harriett and was an altar boy at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He attended Miami Country Day, The Blake School, and graduated from Washburn High School. While attending Kenyon College, he was inducted into the 9th Armored Division, under the command of General Patton. Near Bastogne, he recounted, enemy shells began falling into their camp; it was the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge. The 9th Armored fought its way across France and became famous for capturing, intact, the Ramagen Bridge over the Rhine River. Upon Bill's return to Minnesota, all he wanted was to go pheasant hungting in South Dakota and a "real" glass of milk. Bill married Barbara Fritsche Grandin, in 1922, and together they raised Charles Grandin Thompson, of Salt Lake City, and Judy Thompson Fischer, of Wayzata. Barbara and Bill were blessed with eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Together the family enjoyed tennis and golf at Woodhill Country Club, The Hillsboro Club, hiking and riding at Tanque Verde Ranch, and The Minneapolis Club. Bill was Vice President for Foley Manufacturing and Connecticut General Life. Bill was an avid hunter and conservationist, enjoying fishing trips with Sigurd F. Olson, both advocating for the protection of Quetico/Superior area. Bill was responsible for building untold numbers of Wood Duck houses and Mallard nests to increase waterfowl habitat. He also loved Bluebirds and was recognized nationally for building many Bluebird houses across the region. The family will celebrate the life of Bill Thompson at Wayzata Community Church in the Spring. Memorials may be made to The Nature Conservancy or the Bluebird Recovery Program of Minnesota.

Published on January 22, 2017