Wm. D. Thompson

Wm (Bill) D. Thompson, PE December 28, 1937 - March 10, 2010 SALEM - Bill went home to be with the Lord on March 10, 2010 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. True to his character, he wrote his own obituary notice so as to make things easier for his family. "I was born in 1937 in Hanford, CA to Hap and Pauline Thompson. My family moved to Bakersfield in 1947. I attended public school in Bakersfield and graduated from East Bakersfield High School in 1956. I worked part-time in an electric motor shop while earning my AA degree from Bakersfield Jr. College. It was while attending junior college that I met the woman who would become my friend and soul mate for life, Corriene (Corky) Perry. I joined the USAF for a 4 year tour in 1958 and, after graduating top of my class at 2 USAF tech schools, became an electronic technician on the B-52 bomber and the KC-135 tanker for SAC. Corky and I were married in 1959. On our 50th wedding anniversary in June of 2009, we were still laughing about the fact that we probably had more disposable income in my final year in the service than at any time since. We decided our future would be the brightest if I returned to college and obtained my engineering degree. I graduated with distinction from San Jose University on June 9th 1967 with a BS in electrical engineering and our first son, Michael, was born the next day. I was recruited out of college to work for Shell Chemical as a process control engineer in New Orleans, LA and Mobile, AL. Two years later, we jumped at the chance to move back to California when I was offered a job from my dear friend, Tom Alexander with A-C Electric Co. I obtained my California Engineering License (PE) in 1973. I retired from A-C Electric Co. in 2000 after 30 years of work I enjoyed so much that I sometimes felt I should be paying the company rather than the other way round. I called 2 of our projects an engineer's chance of a life time. Both were in the million dollar range for the electrical alone. There were many good family times too in those 30 years. We especially enjoyed camping with our boys, Mike and Matt, on the beaches in Baja California which were deserted in those days and the annual vacation in Carpinteria, CA where my high school friends would gather with their kids. After the boys left home for college of the service, we started to travel. It was a grand adventure because Corky never wanted package tours and would plan all the trips herself. The trips were all over the world and as varied as sleeping in a yurt in Mongolia to swimming with iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. Along the way, we were able to attend the French and Australian Tennis Opens and Wimbledon. In 2002 our granddaughter, Leah, came to live with us. She became the daughter we never had and I always felt blessed to be in her life. On the spur of the moment, the three of us moved to Salem, OR in 2005 for the healthy air because I had emphysema. but we hadn't been in Oregon very long before we realized the Lord had called us to Morning Star Community Church. I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior in 2006 and was baptized as a rededication of my faith for the second time in 2009. It was 55 years between baptisms. My parents and brother, Gary, preceded me in death. I am survived by my loving wife, Corriene; my sons, Mike (Kathelene) of Sacramento, Calif.; and Matt (Kayla) of Bakersfield, Calif; my very special sister, Kathy Vernon of Roseville, Calif; and 5 granddaughters whom I love very much, Leah, Hannah, Brooke, Maddie and Miley. I also leave my wife's loving brother and sister and their spouses and children; together with many wonderful friends. Grateful thanks to my church family at Morning Star Community Church, my wonderful neighbors, and to Willamette Valley Hospice for making it possible for me to die with dignity in my home." A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on March 15, 2010 at Morning Star Community Church, 4775 27th Ave SE, Salem, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Willamette Valley Hospice, Morning Star Community Church or your favorite charity. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7. Arrangements are entrusted to Crown Memorial Center, Salem.