William Edward Thompson

William Edward Thompson - "Bill" to nearly everyone who knew him - passed away peacefully at his home in Selbyville, Delaware, on November 3, 2025, at the age of 91. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 6, 1934, he was the son of the late William Elmer and Angelina (DeMario) Thompson.
Bill worked for the Baltimore Gas & Electric (BG&E) Company for 41 years, where his hard work and sharp wit kept both the power and the morale running strong. When he retired from BG&E at age 59, he did not slow down. He and his wife, Claudette, moved to Selbyville, Delaware, where they found community and purpose at the Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645. Not being one to sit still, he took a position at the Eagles Landing Golf Course where he continued to work into his 80s.
It did not take long for Bill's charm, humor, and knack for rallying people to make him a pillar of the Ocean City Elks Lodge. He helped shape the Lodge's community spirit.
Bill started the Elks Bingo program in 2009 and remained an integral part of it until 2020, turning it into one of the Lodge's strongest fundraisers.
For 19 years, he was chairman of the Coats for Kids Fundraiser Golf Tournament raising money and working with the local school system to provide children in need with coats to keep them warm during the cold winter months in Delaware. Because of his dedication, the Coats for Kids Golf Committee brought a motion to the floor, it was seconded, and passed to renamed the Coats for Kids Golf Tournament to The Bill Thompson Clothes for Kids Golf Tournament.
Bill's leadership extended to the Carroll Wagner Scholarship Fundraiser Golf Tournament, where his organizational skills and compassion helped sustain and grow the initiative providing funds for scholarships for local students in their educational pursuits.
In 1994, to keep retired Baltimore Gas and Electric Company employees connected to each other, Bill organized a monthly luncheon gathering which he named the Gas House Gang.
The Ocean City Lodge #2645 and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks gave the following awards and certificates to Bill in recognition of his hard work and dedication:
1996 – 1997 awarded Elk of the Year
2001 – 2002 Exalted Rulers Commendation Award in grateful recognition of outstanding service
2005 Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding service as House Committee Chairman
2013 - 2014 awarded Elk of the year 2019 Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding service and contributions for his dedication to the Golf Tournament for Scholarship and Coats for Kids
2020 – 2021 Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award for outstanding and meritorious service to humanity
Bill was preceded in death by his former wife and the mother of his children, Connie Thompson; his wife, Claudette Thompson; and by his children: Brian Thompson, Lynn Baker, and son-in-law Johnny Baker. He is survived by his children: Bill Thompson (Dean); Eve Smith (Bart); and Chris Thompson (Elizabeth); and daughter-in-law, Debbie Thompson; Ten grandchildren: Kathy, Laura, Josh, Matthew, Christina, Julianna, Emmaleigh, Olivia, Katie, and Janet, and twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom carry a bit of his humor, heart, and determination.
A service will be held in Bill's honor followed by dedicated time for sharing a memory, anecdote or how Bill impacted their life, and a toast to a life well lived on Saturday, December 13, 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645.
Bill leaves behind a legacy of laughter, generosity, and service – and a community that will forever miss his voice echoing through the room, reminding us all to work hard, play golf, and never take life too seriously.
Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home.