Stephen Douglas Thompson

Stephen Douglas "Steve" Thompson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at his residence in Haywood County. He was born on September 30, 1955, in Haywood County to Max and Iris Singleton Thompson.

Steve was born and raised in the Bethel Community.  He was a member and servant at Mt. Zion Baptist Church for many years. In his later years, he was an active charter member of Pinnacle Church where he enjoyed being involved in his small group and the children’s ministry. He faithfully served and supported his Pinnacle family up to the point of his death. 

Steve was a member of the 1973 graduating class of Pisgah High School.  He went on to play football at Virginia Tech. After college, Steve worked at Evergreen Packaging, Canton Mill, where he retired after 35 years of dedicated service. He continued to work with Henson Excavating and Delta Management, LLC. Retirement didn't stop Steve from fulfilling his passion for hard work and enjoyment of being in nature.   

Steve loved the Lord, his family, his friends, and his home. His love for them was evident in every interaction. 

Steve is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Kila Davis Thompson; his best friend and son, Stephen Austin Thompson; and his daughter-in-love, Rachel Thompson; as well as two grandsons he adored, Max and Will.

He had two loving sisters: Shirley Kuykendall (Neil) of Canton and Brenda Stiles (Alan) and their sons, Justin and Adam Stiles of Chapel Hill; sisters-in-law: Alana Hamlett (David), Michelle Davis, and Rosa Bentz (Richard); cherished nieces and nephews: Kile (Wendy), Amy (Jeff), Heath, Rachel (A.J.), Lamara, Marea, Solomon, Allen, Alex, Dawson, Andrew (Holly), Kathryn, Greer, D’Asia, Zahra, Aurora, and Ronin. Steve’s influence and love extended well beyond his immediate family.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 20, 2023 at Pinnacle Church in Canton with Pastors Heath Davis and Caleb Simmons officiating.  Burial will follow at Morning Star Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from noon until time of service at the church.

Serving as pallbearers are Austin Thompson (Max and Will), Neil Kuykendall, Alan Stiles, Justin Stiles, Adam Stiles, David Hamlett, Kile Davis, and Robert Hall.  Honorary pallbearers will be Kenny Aldridge, Kenneth Henson, A.J. Tobey, Isaac Medford, Lance Queen, David Shipman, J.J. Turner, Will Warren and Dawson Davis.

Steve leaves behind a legacy of unwavering compassion, kindness, and loyalty.

In this time of grief, let us come together to support one another and find solace in the joy that Steve brought into our lives. Praise God, now he rests in the presence of his Father.

Memorials may be made to the Bethel Youth Organization, P.O. Box 91, Canton, NC  28716 and/or Haywood Elite Wrestling Club, c/o Mountain Credit Union, 1700 Russ Avenue, Waynesville, NC  28786, where he was an avid supporter and dedicated fan of his grandsons’ teams.

The care of Mr. Thompson has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.