William E. “Bill” Thompson, 83, of Schoenchen, Kansas died Monday, December 19, 2022, at Hays Medical Center, surrounded by his family.
He was born March 11, 1939, in Bristow Oklahoma, the son of Ben and Faye (Blackmore) Thompson. Bill graduated from Codell High School in 1957. He then enlisted in the Navy and served from 1959 to 1969. He boarded the ship USS ST. Paul out of Long Beach, California, while stationed aboard, they escorted President Eisenhower. In August 1963, he was united in marriage to Janice Tinkler, they later divorced. In June 1986 he married Kathy (Munsch) Herrman they were married 36 years.
Bill started his working career in the oilfield, owned a backhoe business and a donut shop and went back to oilfield as a service rig operator, driller, floor hand and pumper. He pumped wells for many oil companies, the last to be Kaiser-Francis Oil Company. He was a grain hauler for Schreiner Trucking and Golden Plains Trucking. After retiring from trucking, he then went to work for Hays Area Children Center as a custodian for 12 years, then worked at Dollar Tree as a floor stocker for two years.
Bill was a joy to be around, he always had a funny remark on what others said, anyone he knew truly enjoyed and loved him. He always made everyone he saw smile and laugh, especially his sister Loretta.
Bill is survived by his wife, Kathy, of 36 years; children, Jeff Thompson (Robin Johnson) Ash Grove MO; Wayne (Cheryl) Thompson, Strafford, MO; Bruce (Charlet) Thompson, Springfield, MO; Sheila (Joe) Tollen, Nixa, MO; Randy Thompson, Chicago, IL; Pam Moore, Nixa, MO; Lori (Jereme)Springer, Springfield, MO; step children, Curt Herrman (Gayla Clark), Schoenchen, KS; Kim (Gerald) Deaver, Colwich, KS; Troy (Barb) Herrman, Hutchinson, KS; twin brother, Larry (Carolyn) Thompson, Chauetau, OK; sisters Freida Dobbeke, Wichita, KS; Loretta (Leon) Ross, Plainville, KS; brother in law Bob (Karen) Munsch, Schoenchen, KS; sister in law, Jeannie Munsch (Bob Jarmer), Great Bend, KS; grandchildren, Trevor (Kaci) Thompson, Zachary Thompson, Kylie Thompson, Nathan (Grace) Thompson, Natalie Thompson, Krystal Tollen, Dustin (Kyra) Tollen, Austin Tollen, Shantel Thompson, Myron Thompson, Shala Thompson, Tyree Moore, Kaihprec Moore, Deontae Moore, Travis Springer, Olivia Springer, Kayla Springer, Step grandchildren, Gerad (Alissa) Deaver, Kelton Deaver (Victoria Allen), Kirstin Benedict, Brandon Herrman, and 8 great grandchildren, and 2 step great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Della Beller, brothers in law, Ray Beller, Art Dobbeke, and Ron Munsch.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Burial with military honors courtesy of the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the St. Anthony Cemetery in Schoenchen.
Visitation will be Tuesday 5 PM – 8 PM and Wednesday 9 AM until service time all at the funeral chapel.
An Altar Society rosary at 6:30, and prayer service at 7:00 will be Tuesday at the funeral chapel.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice, Shriners Hospitals or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com