William Walter Thompson

Bill was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 15, 1936 to Howard and Marion Thompson. He was the oldest boy and 2nd born of 11 children. After graduating high school and then serving his country in the Navy, he returned home to Detroit. As fate would have it, his love for ballroom dancing lead him to a teaching job at Arthur Murray Dance Studio, where he fell in love with a student, Geniece “Gen” Bade, whom he would later marry July 19, 1958. He found an interest in computers and started working at Ford Motor Company, later prompting an opportunity in 1967 that took them west to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he pursued his lifetime career as a computer programmer. They made many friends over the years on the bowling alley where they spent a good deal of their time in regular leagues and competing in various tournaments. This is where Bill was best known as “Willy”. However, their favorite past-time was spending vacations doing what they loved most, camping and fishing in Sedona and the White Mountains. Geniece passed away in 2004.

Bill is survived by his (3) children; William “Bill” Thompson (Vicki), Catherine “Cathy” Fladhammer (David), Christina “Chris” Healy (Randy); (4) grandchildren, Stephanie (Rich), Robert (Kathleen), Daniel (Tedi), and Jacob (Cassandra), and (7) Great-grandchildren, Zachary, Jacob, Kailey, Colin, Brody, Charlee, and Brooklynn. Bill is also survived by 2 sisters and 5 brothers.

A private family memorial service has been planned for July 27th.