William Frank Thompson passed away on October 21, 2022. Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Margaret Marie Thompson (Marge) and his brother-in-law Edward Kucio. Bill is survived by his children Lauren Clauss (John) and Gregg Thompson, his grandchildren Kevin & Kelly Clauss, Jett & Skyler Thompson and great grandson Carter Mann. Bill is also survived by his brothers James (Jim) Thompson (Dee), Robert (Bob) Thompson (Nancy), and sister Dorothy (Dorrie) Thompson (Jerry), sister-in-law Joan Kucio (Edward), many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Born December 19, 1941, Bill was the son of Frank and Madeline Thompson of Plainfield, NJ. He graduated from Plainfield High School and attended Saint Michael College in Colchester Vermont. It was during his time in Vermont that Bill met Marge, the love of his life, and future bride-to-be.
Bill enjoyed a very successful career of thirty years at Eastman Kodak Company. He was an accomplished sales professional for the Business Systems Markets Division (BSMD) and his performance earned Bill a promotion to company headquarters in Rochester, as a Marketing Specialist for Computer Output Products in 1979. This initial corporate position was the first of many assignments with ever-increasing responsibility in marketing and sales management including: Director of Sales Training for the Copy Products Division, Director of Marketing & Business Planning for Printer Products, and Director of National Accounts for Professional and Printing Imaging Division. Bill chose to take early retirement from Kodak but not before earning the respect, affection, and friendship of many colleagues across three different divisions and multiple product lines.
Soon after his retirement from Eastman Kodak Company, Bill acquired the Invention Company franchise for Upstate New York. For the next ten years, Bill lent his business experience, mentoring, and business planning to entrepreneurs and inventors.
Bill and Marge had a passion for skiing that they shared with their family and many friends. They had season passes to ski Bristol Mountain in Canandaigua for over thirty years, and they enjoyed many annual ski trips with dear friends on the slopes of Steamboat (Bill’s favorite ski mountain), Jackson Hole, Taos, Vail, Sun Valley, Park City, Killington, and Whistler.
One of the happiest times of the year for Bill and Marge was their annual July 4th cookout and swim party. They made wonderful memories for three generations friends and families. Who could ever forget the famous watermelon contest?
Bill was also one of the “elves” that hosted an annual hayride & dinner for their large group of friends which lasted over 35 years. What better way to kick off the holiday season than a merry party with 75 close friends.
In their later years, Bill and Marge enjoyed their summers at the family camp on the shores of the Saint Lawrence River near Cape Vincent, NY. Bill and Marge were part of the summer family at the Sunny Banks community where they enjoyed boating, golf, and visits with their friends and family each summer for over 25 years.
Bill always said he “never had a bad day” and he made life better for everyone that knew him. He always looked for the best in people, and he had the gift to help them smile.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint John of Rochester, Fairport, 8 Wickford Way, Fairport, NY 14450 on Friday, November 18, 2022 @ 10 AM. Bill’s service will be streamed “live” for those unable to attend, the link can be found on St. John’s website at www.stjohnfairport.org.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Save the River”, 409 Riverside Drive, Clayton, NY 13624, (315) 686-2010, info@savetheriver.org. Save the River is a 501 c (3) charitable organization.
Comments
12 responses to “Thompson, William F. “Bill””
I lost my dear friend of 67 years. Although, he moved away to the Rochester area several years ago, we always stayed in touch and remained close friends throughout. Bill had a unique ability to make you laugh no matter what was going on in your life. He placed great value on telling and delivering good jokes. On a recent visit (July 2017) to his summer home on the St Lawrence, some of our old high school classmates (Bill, Jay Chiappa, Attilio Chiappa, Kip Girard and myself) while driving home from dinner, played a Kingston Trio CD as loud as we could possibly stand. We all sang along horribly, but amazingly we knew all of the lyrics. It will remain a wonderful memory of mine. Rest in peace Bill – I will miss you dearly.
We waited and waited but Bill didn’t show. Phone calls were not answered, alarmed, a “wellness check visit”call to the Fairport NY police department came back with the shocking and tragic news Bill was found dead at home. How horribly, horribly sad.. We, his Plainfield NJ High School classmates , had waited months to meet for this get together that Bill had set up since midsummer.
All those Wonderful memories and stories repeated and embellished each time we met with Bill will be no more Loss, loss.. Time moves on ……lives lost, lives remembered. Cherished memories.. Holdiing on to slights, voices and old conversations; Jokes, laughing at our foibles , our dreamers and hopes we shared with one another. Oh they haven’t disappeared yet…,.,I’m keeping them close. Bye Billy……. See you soon. JayBird
Thinking of you Lauren, John , Kelly, Kevin and family. So sorry for your loss!
Bill was so special. When he walked into a room expectations were high that he would be entertaining. He had a kind heart and warm hugs. I’ll miss everything he brought to this world but will never forget. Love to the family.
Much has been said about Bill’s professional accomplishments as well as recalling the many memorable events, trips and occasions others shared with him. I’ll focus on Bill’s contribution of bringing meaning of life to others whether business associates, friends or family. Bill possessed the unique combination of situational awareness of the moment and a quick wit to offer spontaneous observations putting a smile on the faces of those around him. Being well read, having a good memory and the timing to tell a good joke was an additional asset. Bill will be remembered for his character and the resulting joy one experienced whenever you were with him. Love to the family.
Bill, you always told me (as I’m sure others), “you’re the best”.
No, Bill, you’re The Best!
You were fun to be around and missed when you weren’t there. Now you always be missed. You always ended our calls and our get-togethers with a hug and saying, ‘I love you man’
Bill, I love you man.
To all of Bill and Marge’s beloved family I send my deepest condolences. The Thompsons have always been wonderful caring friends from the time we met before Paul and I we were even married. Over the yeas we have celebrated every one of life’s milestones As a wonderful team Bill and Marge always had the right words and fun comments. Such dear friends you will be so missed for all you brought to everyone’s lives. God bless, til we meet again…….
What a lovely obit. I knew Bill and Marge from my summers at Sunnybank Park on the St Lawrence River. Your comment about making others smile was correct. Whenever we saw each other it was as if he was happy to come across me. They were a beautiful couple.
It was so sad to hear that Bill has passed away. I have very fond memories of sharing times with Bill and Marg during my frequent visits to Rochester for the hayride events etc.
Perhaps the one of the times that we will always remember was Bill and Marg visit to London. Elle and I met them for the evening and just recall visiting an old pub in Marylebone where they had a guy playing a piano and we all joined in with the singing etc. What a lovely happy evening that was! God bless you Bill and Marg. Cliff and Elle Trott
Bristol Mountain memories. with Bill and Marge. Bill always took time to look out over the snow covered hills and remark on the beauty surrounding us. When I joined him on a few relaxed runs (while Marge was cruising the mogul field) his calmness became infectious. I called him my “Zen Skier”. I loved his smile and sense of humor.
As an unaffiliated member of the Airline Pilots Association, Gordon is still laughing at Bill’s comments after a particularly hard landing in Rochester. From Gordon-“he was a truly nice guy.”. We shall miss him.
I’ll always remember the great times that Kathy and I shared with Bill & Marge, during our time in Rochester, and I’m thankful that we stayed in contact over the years. I’ll miss you my friend. Love, Bruce
BILL.. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE FOND MEMORIES OF TIMES TOGETHER, THESE ARE OUR BLESSINGS..