Dr. Ray Thompson

The Reverend Dr. Billy Ray Thompson, 75, husband of Gleasie Ward Thompson and the late Jewell Thompson, who predeceased him in June 1998, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, VA. He was a resident of Bloxom, VA. Born on July 28, 1934 in Craddockville, VA, he was a son of the late George W. Thompson and Julia Morris Thompson. Dr. Thompson was the founder of Central Baptist Church in Onley, VA, where he was a retired pastor and administrator of the Central Baptist Church Academy. He had retired from the United States Air Force after twenty years of service to his country; had conducted many revivals on the Eastern Shore; was a longtime presenter of "Back to Fundamentals of Faith" on WESR Radio where he touched many lives; and was a frequent visitor to nursing homes and hospitals. Other than his wife, survivors include four children, Linda Jacobs and husband Stephen of Parksley, VA, Starr Krumm and husband Steven of Greenbackville, VA, Robin Helms and husband Arthur of Huntsville, AL, and Nelson Ray Thompson and wife Veronica of Sanford, VA; three step-sons, Roland, Barry and Wayne Young; five sisters, Mary Virginia Wilson of Williamsburg, VA, Edna T. Guill of Virginia Beach, VA, Dorothy Thompson of Melfa, VA, Carolyn Piper of Yorktown, VA and Louise Lanman of Painter, VA; a brother, Roland M. Thompson of Jamesville, VA; four grandchildren, Rayna Helms, Andrew Krumm, Hannah Krumm and Jewell Thompson; five step-grandchildren, Stephanie and Matt Young, Ashley Smullen, Christopher and Mariah Evans; and several nieces and nephews. Other than his parents, he was predeceased by four brothers, George Robert Thompson, Edmund (Buddy) Thompson, William Riley Thompson and Arthur Thompson. Funeral services will be conducted from the Central Baptist Church in Onley, VA, on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM with the Reverends Henry Nichols, Vinton Williams and Kenneth Helms officiating. Interment will follow in the Groton's Cemetery in Hallwood, VA. There will be a visitation at the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home on Friday, November 6, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to the Central Baptist Church, P.O. Box 338, Onley, VA 23418. Memory tributes may be sent to the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.