WILLIAM THOMPSON, III
JULY 15, 1928 – FEB. 5, 2011

KINGS MOUNTAIN - Mr. William Haven Thompson, III, 82, died Feb. 5, 2011 at Wendover Hospice in Shelby. He was born July 15, 1928 in Springfield, Ma. to the late William Haven Thompson, Jr. and Hazel Allen Thompson. He was also preceded in death by brother, Robert Dakin Thompson and son, William Haven Thompson, IV.
He was educated in the Hartford, CT public schools followed by degrees from Colby College and the University of Connecticut. He was drafted into the Army and served in Korea with the 45th Infantry Division as a Sergeant. Following military service he worked in two insurance organizations followed by a 30 year career with the DuPont Company as a Safety, Fire Protection, and Environmental Engineer, finishing at the Philips and DuPont joint venture plant in Grover, N.C. Upon his retirement he enjoyed many years as a member of the Senior Golf Association of Cleveland County.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years: Patricia Adams Thompson; daughters: Beth Hurd, Nashua N.H., Martha Pattberg and husband Glenn, Coconut Creek, Fla.; sons: Peter Thompson and wife Donna, Wall Township, N.J., John Thompson, Frederick, Md; brother, Allen Crawford Thompson and wife Mary, Vestal, N.Y.; five grandchildren: Melissa Gramp, Joseph and Jennifer LeTual and Dale and Kathryn Hurd; five great-grandchildren: William, Patrick, Brianna, Tyler, and Andrew, and five cousins.

Celebration of Life Service: Lakeside in Oakland, Maine where the family has maintained a summer home since 1936
The Thompson family sincerely appreciates the care and concern shown by the doctors at Sanger, the staff of the progressive care unit at Carolina's Medical Center, and Cleveland County Hospice at Wendover, Shelby, N.C.
Funeral home: Harris Funeral Home is serving the family
Memorials: In his name may be made to the American Heart Association P.O. Box 2391 Shelby, NC 28151 or Cleveland County Hospice, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, N.C. 28150
Online Condolences: www.harrisfunerals.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Shelby Star on Feb. 6, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for William Thompson

35 Entries

Vickie Dowling

January 30, 2021

Continued thoughts and prayers to all of you. Grief never seems to go away; it simply changes. Much love always!

Beth Hurd

April 4, 2011

It has been just over two months since Dad passed away. I have been thinking over and over what I wanted to write about him. So many of his excellent qualities have already been mentioned; his values, integrity, his sense of humor, storytelling abilities, etc. I had the privilege of being with him for the last week of his life and want to add something to the long list. Our father was strong and tough as nails, mentally and physically. He fought as hard as he could to stay alive. He wasn’t ready to leave us and the way he fought taught us all how precious life is. He got to leave hospice for a short visit home and got to spend a week with Allen and Mary. I will always remember New Years weekend. We all went from the depths of despair to absolute joy when he woke up and we soon discovered that his heart was back in rhythm. All of us were there and everyone did what they could to make hospice seem like home to him. John brought in pictures, Peter got his truck running, Martha cooked for us, Mom found Gifford’s ice cream in North Carolina. Someone brought his gin and tonic from home. I bought him a fleece Superman blanket because that’s what he was to us. It’s going to go down as one of the best weekends I ever had. We were all together and it appeared that our father was going to get better. When we were kids we would all pile into the aluminum boat and row far away from the cottage. One day we were caught in a bit of a storm and we had to row like crazy to get home over very choppy waves. Our grandparents were looking out the big window of the cottage waiting for us. I can’t remember the last time we all worked at such a single purpose as we did in that boat until that weekend in hospice. I didn’t realize it then, but this time it was our father we were rowing Home where I’m sure that our grandparents and our brother were waiting for him. Rest in peace, Dad. We miss you and will love you always.

Kay (Shaw) West

April 1, 2011

I wanted to add my condolences with the rest of my family to the Thompson family, whose back yard was back to back with ours during our childhood in Holly Oak Terrace, DE. We both were large families, as were several in the neighborhood, and it seemed that every house and yard was shared by all, with the watchful eyes of mothers on all the kids! What a lovely tribute to him all these words are. Thank you Mrs. (Pat) Thompson for letting our parents know of Mr. Thompson's passing. My prayers are with you, the kids :-) and grandchildren. You all must miss him so.

Melissa (Thompson) Gramp

March 6, 2011

As a child and teenager, the highlight of my year (only topped by Christmas) was my trips to North Carolina or Maine depending on where everyone was that year. The weeks leading up to the big travel day would be filled with countdowns in letters to Gram and Grampy, packing a swimsuit, and making sure I had my plane tickets ready to go. I always learned so much during those summer visits like the importance of sunscreen, how to play rummy, and one year how to dig up a tree stump.

I loved listening to his stories he would talk about growing up especially the summers in Maine, the importance of education (he would always find a way to remind me that so many of his family were teachers!), working hard, and the importance of family. Of course he would repeat stories, but I never dared tell him because I loved hearing them again anyways. Grampy: I love and miss you, but you have left your everlasting mark on our hearts with all of us who hold you dear.

Martha Pattberg

March 2, 2011

Three and a half weeks have now passed. Some days are easier than others - I remember the doctor telling us when Dad was pretty weak "celebrate the good days, and just tolerate the bad." That about sums up what we've all been trying to do since 2/5/11. We just feel such a void. I've been reading the book Allen and Mary sent, which has helped. One of the assignments is to write down everything you want to remember about the person who has passed. My pen was flying across the paper a mile a minute. There was so much to write! And it made me happy to see, right there in black and white (although I already knew it) what a happy and rich life Dad lead. He had so many different interests that brought him such joy; his family, Maine, golf, airplanes, ice cream! the NC home, his nightly gin & tonic! books...the list goes on and on. We miss his humor. We miss his story telling. We miss the guidance he gave us. But most of all, we just miss our Dad.

Glenn Pattberg

February 24, 2011

My father-in-law was an amazing man. I remember sitting around either in Maine or North Carolina and just listening to him tell some of his stories. His favorite line was "stop me if I told this one before". He seemed to have done or seen just about everything in his life. He would say to me "gee I guess I did ok, a house on two lakes in two states, not bad. I had the pleasure of playing golf with him on a few occasions in both locations. I remember going with him to buy his pick up truck. His test drive included taking me all over NC to see the sights. He was a great tour guide!
He will truly be missed.

Vickie Dowling

February 21, 2011

I continue to hold all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Bill is proud of you all and watching down on you with love. Love, Vickie

Carolyn (Shaw) French

February 20, 2011

Never could I reflect back on my childhood without thinking of the Thompson's. Your backyard was ours and ours was yours (no fences between neighbors back then). Thinking of you all at this time -- hold on to your memories, they will keep him
close to you always! Love, Carolyn Shaw French

Linda O'Donnell

February 19, 2011

Some of my fondest memories growing up was with the Thompson family. We lived back to back in Holly Oak Terrace and I felt like their house was an extension of ours....you all are in my thoughts and prayers....Linda Shaw O'Donnell

February 19, 2011

Dear Pat and family - we just received your letter today and are so sorry to hear of Bill's death. You and Bill and your big family were such good friends and neighbors all those years in Holly Oak Terrace. Love and prayers from the Shaw family

Tom & Lynda McGuire

February 11, 2011

Pat, Beth, John, & family. We are so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. We have many fond memories of him and will miss seeing him here at the cottage. We always enjoyed hearing him whistle as he worked on his many projects during the summer months. Our deepest sympathy.

Jennifer LeTual

February 10, 2011

Theres not enough words to decribe my grandfather. He is the most genuine, loving, kind, unselfish man I have ever known. I have so many great memories of my grandfather.The one that stood out the most is when My son William was a year old we went to visit gram and grampy. My grandfather was laying on the floor with my son playing with his toys with him. I will never forget the look of joy on his face. My oldest son shares the name William, and I hope that he will turn out to be the man his great grandfather was. Grandpa we love you and you will live through us all.

Bill, Allen, and their Grandma - 1939

February 8, 2011

Bill and Allen - childhood home

February 8, 2011

Bill and brother Allen

February 8, 2011

Dear Pat and family. Carol and I send our deepest sympathy and love to you at Bill's passing. Bill was a wonderful brother-in-law to us. We always looked forward to your visits to our farm in New Hampshire and ours to your camp in Maine.Bill was a true gentleman with a great sense of humor.His love family was very obvious as was high moral standards.We will miss him, but our memories will last forever.May God bless you all.

love and prayers
Carol and Red

February 8, 2011

Dear Aunt Pat, Beth, Peter, Martha, and John, We were so saddened to receive the news that Uncle Bill had passed away. We will always remember his wry smile (so much like Grampy's...), his kindness, and most of all, his love for his family. We have wonderful memories of visiting with Uncle Bill in North Carolina and up in Maine. We send you all our love and prayers for peace and special times together, remembering a man who left the world a better place. Love, Kathy and the Martin family

Joe Sommers

February 8, 2011

Peter, I am deeply sorry about your loss. My prayers are with your family. Please call if there's anything I can do to help. God bless you.

Janice Thompson

February 8, 2011

Dear Pat and the entire Bill Thompson family -- I am thinking of all of you and remembering Uncle Bill with warmth and humor. I used to love listening to him talk with my dad in the cabin in Maine, reminiscing for hours about their childhoods together. And before my parents' 50th anniversary party, talking with Bill on the phone about the video I was making for them -- Bill had some photos of the two of them together as kids (and also one of my dad in the altogether at the lake!) -- I loved talking with him one-on-one, which I hardly ever did -- he cracked me up with his wry sense of humor! He will be missed -- especially when we all go up to Maine, which was so much a part of his life. I'm so glad my cousins were able to give him such a wonderful gift last year of a plane ride over the lake. What a perfect sending-off..... Much love, cousin Janice

Dave Shaw

February 8, 2011

To Peter and Family - I'm very sorry for your loss. I was glad to be able to meet your dad as we were passing through in Maine. I could tell that Maine is a special place for him and your family. You're in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Mark Ale

February 8, 2011

Dear Thompson Family:
May God grant you peace and comfort in your time of loss.

Rev. And Mrs. Mark W. Ale

Final Flight

Martha Pattberg

February 8, 2011

There isn’t enough space within this tiny text box to describe my father, but I’ll do the best I can. He was the most unselfish person I know. In a world where people knock each other over to get ahead, my father knew the secret to “work/life balance.” Growing up, he was always home by 5:30 PM to eat dinner with his family. Of course, not before his glass of gin and tonic! He was very careful and deliberate about everything he did….sometimes to extreme! I’m reminded of the time all 7 of us were in the car, ready to drive to Maine, when Dad decided it was time to change the oil in the car! But, my two favorite memories of my father are 1) when I was in high school, our girls softball team went to the state championship. I played first base, but because all of our pitchers got injured, our coach put me in as pitcher. I’d never pitched a game in my life. As I was about to throw my first pitch, I looked over and saw my Dad watching me from behind the fence. Between being nervous about my new-found pitcher status, and my Dad watching, I don’t think I threw one single strike! But, that didn’t matter to Dad. He was proud of me anyway. 2) Dad’s airplane ride over the lake last year. I sat right behind Dad, and while the scenery was truly spectacular, I was more mesmerized by the smile he had on his face as he gazed out the window. As we flew over Colby College, I don’t think I'd ever seen him look happier. Rest in Peace, Dad.

February 8, 2011

Peter and Family, With deepest sympathy on your father's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Art and Karen Sommers

February 8, 2011

Peter and family
Dede and I were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you .
Dede and jim

Jennifer LeTual

February 7, 2011

Jennifer LeTual

February 7, 2011

Jennifer LeTual

February 7, 2011

Peter and family:
So sorry to hear of your father's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Diane, Kristen and Trisha Baker

Heather Pennington

February 6, 2011

Dearest Pat & family: I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was such a wonderful man; so full of wisdom, humor and love for his family. I will always cherish the time spent at his camp in Maine this past summer. May you find comfort and peace in your memories of him during this time of sorrow.

Lewis Whiteside

February 6, 2011

Dear Pat and Family:

I extend to each of you my sincere prayers and deepest sympathy upon hearing of Bill's passing. I had the honor and privilege of working with him for approximately 10 years at PDO Plant in Grover, NC, where he was the Safety Manager. Bill was a man of integrity, professional in all of his dealings and most of, a family man. May God Bless and keep you in His care during this time bereavement.

Joyce MacGovern

February 6, 2011

Dear Pat, Bud and I are so sorry to read of Bill's death. I have known him since we were very young kids at the Lake in Oakland. We all had such good times there and we have so many great memories. We will miss seeing him around camp.
Joyce and Bud MacGovern

February 6, 2011

Dear Pat, Beth, Martha, Peter and John, We grieve with you in the loss of your dear husband and father. Bill was a great man. We remember a quiet, kind, gentle man, who sometimes caught us off-guard with his wry humor. We appreciate all the years of generous hosting us in his lovely home, which he and Pat kept so beautifully. And all the years that he and Pat took care of grammy during her widowhood. We'll never forget his toast at our anniversary party, when you all could join us. Treasured memories to last forever. Love, Mary and Allen

Vickie Dowling

February 6, 2011

Dear Aunt Pat, Beth, Peter, Martha, John, Mum and the many others grieving the loss of a wonderful man: Uncle Bill lived a very productive and rich life, raising a wonderful family who continue to blossom outward. Everyone touched by him was blessed. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you through this very difficult time of grief and loss. As spoken by Dr Karl Menniger: "Weeping is perhaps the most human and universal of all relief measures." I wish all comfort and healing to be able to soon reflect upon the many wonderful memories shared rather than the challenges of the current loss. Love and hugs, Vickie

Peter's 50th

Donna Thompson

February 6, 2011

I believe Dad's greatest achievement was raising his children with the same ethics and morals that he lived his life by, and I'm delighted that I get to be the lucky beneficiary of all his hard work by being married to Peter. I also believe Dad would appreciate everyone enjoying at least one martini in his honor!!! Love to all, Donna

Nancy Thompson

February 6, 2011

Aunt Pat and my dear cousins, may your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Even our little Amariah remembers Uncle Bill (oh, he's the one who looks like Grandpa!) I'll never forget the time when she was really young and was hanging onto Bill's leg. When he looked down to smile at her, she smiled back, thinking he was her grandpa, then looked back up at him for a few moments and ran away. We are thinking of you and grieving with you.

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