Neil Thompson

Neil Powney Thompson of Williamsburg, died very peacefully at noon on Thursday, September 2, 2021 surrounded by his family at the Hospice House of Williamsburg. He was born October 10, 1938 in Colombo, Ceylon, currently known as Sri Lanka. Until the age of eleven, he lived in Ceylon, South Africa and Vancouver, Canada. His family returned to England where he attended Christ's Hospital School. His education continued with an apprenticeship at Rolls Royce Aero Engines and Worcester College, Oxford where he studied engineering and played first class cricket for both college and university. He later earned his MBA from the Cranfield Institute of Technology in England. In 1964 he joined International Computers Limited and moved to London where he met his beloved wife Liz on the 29th of February, which they celebrated every four years! They were married in 1968 after a four-week engagement and left the day after their wedding for Australia where they started their family. Their son, Martin, was born in Brisbane in 1969. Ambition brought him back to England for business school and their daughter, Joanna, was born in London in 1970. In 1973 Neil took a job with Hoskins Consulting and the family was sent to New York for what they thought was a six-month assignment. He was offered a permanent position with American Express and they settled in Riverside, Connecticut, where their son, Doug, was born in 1978. For 32 years they lived in Riverside and raised their children. Neil retired from MasterCard International as an executive after a successful and well-traveled career. In 2005 Neil and Liz started a new chapter in their lives together and moved to Williamsburg, Virginia. In his retirement, Neil enjoyed documenting his family history, playing pickleball, the company of friends and Liz's wonderful cooking. Neil is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Ann Thompson; son Martin Fendall Thompson of Virginia; daughter Joanna Kate Griffin of Georgia; and son Douglas Obert Thompson and his wife Caitlin Aileen Thompson of New Hampshire; and eight grandchildren whom he loved dearly, James Nesbitt Carr Thompson, Nicholas Philip Burnes Thompson, William Alexander Dawson Thompson, Elizabeth Catherine Griffin, Matthew Paul Griffin, Arthur Rivers Thompson, Alice Wren Thompson and Arwen Rose Thompson. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law Jeffrey Paul Griffin. His family wishes to thank Dr. William H. McAllister, IV for two extra years with Neil. A celebration of Neil's life will take place at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg at a later date. If you wish to make a donation in Neil's memory, may we suggest the Hospice House of Williamsburg, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23188.