William C. Thompson

Bill was born December 21, 1928, on a farm near Laquey, Missouri to Harry and Pearl Thompson. In 1933 the family left the farm and began the Great Depression Migration. During the next years Bill attended seven different schools in four different states by the time he reached the fifth grade. Most years he started the school year in November or December, due to the family working harvesting crops. He was a mediocre student until a wonderful teacher, Phrona E. Bates, got him transferred to her school where she had 11 students and needed at least 12 to be able to keep her one room school operating. Her students included the first to eighth grades. Mrs. Bates changed Bill from the average student he was, to achieving the highest score in a County wide test in Sonoma County, California given during the eighth grade. Bill moved to Humboldt County in 1947 and worked at lumber mills and later as a timber faller until 1951 when he served in the Merchant Marines and The Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. He began his Real Estate career September 14, 1955. He married the love of his life, Juanita, February 22, 1957 in Carson City, Nevada, and they spent their wedding night trying to get over Donner Summit during a huge snow storm so Juanita could get to San Francisco to take her Real Estate Brokers examination. Bill and Juanita spent the next almost 50 years in the Real Estate business, developing Valley West in Arcata, CA, as well as cattle ranching in Oregon and Northern California, and owning and operating three avocado groves in Southern California. Bill was president of the Humboldt County Board of Realtors in 1961, Realtor of the Year, and president of Baywood Golf and Country Club in 1971. Perhaps because of their humble beginnings, Bill and Juanita always had the desire to help worthy people in need. They have set up a fund with the Humboldt Area Foundation, named the "BILL AND JUANITA THOMPSON FUND FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT". After providing for their heirs and college funds, the balance of the estate is donated to the Humboldt Area Foundation to distribute the income to Hospice, Cancer Society, Senior Resource Center, Alzheimers and other worthy charities. This distribution should exceed $200,000 per year for many years. Juanita died November 10, 2006 from pneumonia. Bill is survived by son Steven; daughter Laurie; brothers Jim and Jeff; sisters Allyne and Norma; and numerous nieces and nephews. At Bill's request, there will be no services. Care is under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, 707-442-3751. Condolences may be left at www.piercemortuarychapels.com Please sign the online guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obits.