last of five children of Redden and Penine Jackson Thompson, he was better

known as ‘Bull’ or ‘BT.’

   Bill grew up on a farm picking cotton, milking cows, and harvesting crops in

season, getting started at about age six by riding on top of the baler and feeding twine into it. His early education was in a two-room schoolhouse where his sister, Pauline Wisdom, taught. At an early age, Bill especially enjoyed farm-boy pranks with his four older brothers, two of whom served in the Army in World

War II, one making it a career and retiring as an O-6 (colonel).

   Bill graduated from Northside High School in Fort Worth in 1946 and then,

realizing the value of a good education and experiencing difficulty in obtaining a long desired appointment to West Point, he chose another fine institution, Texas A&M. During his three years as a Texas A&M cadet, Bill met Wanda Jean Kercheval of Marshall, TX, a charming young lady at Texas State College for Women, and the mutual attraction was immediate. Theirs was to be a lifetime relationship.

   Bill gave up a company command at A&M to become a West Point plebe,

gladly accepting an appointment to West Point from Texas Congressman Wingate H. Lucas of the 12th District. Along with others in the Class of 1954, he was sworn in on July 5, 1950, with a head start that he never relinquished. Although he spoke passionately and fondly of his time at A&M, he didn’t hesitate to move on when the opportunity presented itself.

   Everything about Bill was big: his size, his smile, his laugh, his friendships, and his outstanding successes as a cadet, while on active duty and in retirement. Placing very high in the class, both academically and militarily, he was well within the top 10 percent in his class standing and was very highly regarded as the E-1 company commander. He was also quite an asset as a lacrosse player, as a four-year participant in the Debate Council, and as a valued member of several of E-1’s intramural teams.

   Bill chose to be commissioned in Armor, the branch closest to the old Cavalry, which he would no doubt have preferred had it still existed. His first mission after receiving his gold bar, however, was to marry his sweetheart, Wanda Jean, who had remained in Texas but visited Bill at West Point when time

and finances permitted. After such a very long wait and with Bill’s lucky draw in

the wedding time and place “lottery,” they were married on Graduation Day at the Cadet Chapel. The honeymoon commenced immediately after a hurried

reception that, according to family legend, featured Oreo cookies and milk.

   Following the honeymoon, the new couple moved to Fort Knox, KY, where

Bill attended the Armor Officer class, following which he completed both

Airborne and Ranger training at Fort Benning, GA.

   Quickly following were assignments as company commander in the 704th Tank Battalion (1955), the 21st Infantry Regiment (1956–57), and the 6th Cavalry (1958), all three company commands occurring before he and his

classmates were promoted to captain. He was then a student at Cornell University (an M.S. in political science, 1961) and an instructor in the Social Sciences Department at USMA (1961–65), where he positively influenced another generation of leaders. Subsequent assignments were: MACV (1965–66), Command and General Staff College (1966–67), Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff Operations (ODCSO DA) (1967), battalion commander 5/68 Armor (1969–71), chief of staff, 1st Division Forward in Germany (1971–72), Combat Arms Training Board, Fort Benning, GA (CATB) (1972–73), and the Army War College

(1974). His final assignment was as G1, 9th Division, Fort Lewis, WA (1974–76).

Bill retired as a colonel following 22 years

of distinguished service.

   Bill and Wanda’s children were born at several of his early assignments: Janet at Fort Hood, TX; Cynthia at Fort Knox; Teresa at Ithaca, NY; and Thomas and Annette at West Point.

   Upon retirement he established, from scratch, a successful civilian career in real estate, retiring from that profession in 1996 as the owner and broker of Century 21 Washington Brokers. An active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Olympia, WA, Bill greatly loved to fish on both fresh and salt water, to barbeque, and also to garden. The fact that both he and Wanda achieved the Master Gardner designation was reflected in their beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, the produce from which benefitted family, neighbors, and a local food kitchen. He especially enjoyed operating his John Deere tractor and making breakfast for his 10 grandkids, who affectionately called him ‘Popsi.’ While they could still do so, Bill and Wanda circumnavigated the United States, visiting old friends and family.

   Bill died at Madigan Army Hospital, WA, despite extraordinary care. He will

be remembered most for his hospitable and charismatic personality as well as his quick wit and broad smile that embraced all who crossed his path. He was an outstanding leader, a loyal patriot who loved and served his country with valor. He was a man of great integrity who valued fortitude and hard work. Above all, Bill was a loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather, whose life and service well-illustrate West Point’s motto of Duty,

Honor, Country. Rest in peace, Bill.