August 31, 1944 – September 21, 2022
William Allan Thompson passed peacefully in September 21, 2022 at the age of 78, Lake of the Woods Hospital.
Born and raised in Kenora, Bill loved the beauty of Lake of the Woods, the outdoors, nature, animals and dogs. A man of integrity, he was industrious, thoughtful, gentle and as dependable as the sunrise. Bill was affectionately called 'Sam' by his older brother Jack, after 'Sam Snead' the professional golfer. It was a nick-name that stuck for life.
Energetic and adventurous he enjoyed hockey, swimming, cycling, golfing, sailing, cross-country skiing, and water sports. He tackled everything from skydiving to bee-keeping. Just for fun, he once challenged himself to a seven mile marathon swim around Coney Island with Reid as his support man in a canoe.
An avid reader, he was enthusiastic about debating world politics with his lifelong friend, Jim Blight. They never tired of arguing around each other's positions.
Bill was a Shift Engineer, with a gratifying career at the Boise Cascade Paper Mill and enjoyed teaching power engineering courses at Boise and at Confederation College. He retired as the Utilities Superintendent in 2001. He did a brief stint at Weyerhaeuser, but opted to follow his passions instead of a pay cheque.
A handyman, he completed many ambitious projects, including the house that he and Leona built on the lake in Sioux Narrows. They moved there in 1987 and spent many wonderful years entertaining family and friends. Over time they vacationed in Europe, Florida, the Caribbean, and wintered in Costa Rica after retirement. Sadly, their happy marriage of 42 years was cut short when Leona died of cancer in 2005.
Bill began pursuing municipal politics in 1999 under the new township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls (2000). He served on Council and as Mayor for the next 14 years. Additionally he served on the District Services Board and Northwestern Health Unit.
In 2009, Bill met Deborah Ramsay at the Mount Evergreen ski trails and they soon became inseparable. Deb taught yoga and meditation, and Bill was an eager student. He embraced the practice and the two enjoyed countless retreats in Canada and India. They also had a penchant for roads less travelled and explored Costa Rica, Nepal, India, Tanzania and Southeast Asia, and married in Bali.
Bill will be sadly missed by his wife, Deborah Ramsay (Knutson); son and daughter-in-law, Reid and Ashley; stepson, Aaron and Zachary; granddaughters Hannah (Findlay) and Emme; as well as many relatives and friends
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Captain John Emerson Thompson and Laura Pearl (Crawley) Thompson; and first wife Leona (Savage) Thompson.
Bill cherished his family and was always a calm, sure, and steady influence in their lives. He often marveled at how special his days were, surrounded by panoramas of the lake, and a wonderful community of friends and neighbours.
Bill never met his Father, who had served in France and was killed six months before his birth. In April 2016 Bill, Deb, Reid and Emme journeyed to his Dad's resting place near the village of Cintheaux, France. Upon touching his Father's headstone, Bill felt something palpable – a feeling that the Father he had never known was there and had been there in his heart and in the heart of the family all along.
Cremation has taken place and a private celebration of life will be held at a later time. A special thank you to Dr. Grek, and the Palliative Care Nurse & Physicians at Lake of the Woods Hospital for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in his memory to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation or a charity of one's choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Thompson family.
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