William Thompson

Westernport, MD

William Mason Thompson, 95, of Horserock Road, Westernport, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2013 at Egle Nursing and Rehab Center, Lonaconing.

Born August 12, 1917 in Keyser, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Mason E. Thompson.

Bill graduated from Keyser High School (Class of 1935), Potomac State College and the College of Engineering at West Virginia University.  Bill was an Eagle Scout and former Scoutmaster.

Over a long and successful career, Bill was employed by Gulf Oil Corporation, Celanese Corporation and Westvaco Corporation.  He retired from Westvaco after 37 years of service.  He was former manager of the Luke Mill of Westvaco, and was responsible for the prestigious National Geographic account during his tenure as Fine Papers Division Manager.

An active member of the community, he served on the Board of Directors of the First Federal Savings Bank for 25 years and was Vice Chairman for 23 years. Bill held membership in Davis Lodge #51 AF & AM, Knights of Templar, Ali Ghan Shrine and was Past Director of the Cumberland Court of Jesters.  He served two terms on the Allegany County Board of Education and the Board of Trustees of Allegany Community College. He was a member of the Visiting Committee for the College of Engineering at West Virginia University.  Bill represented the paper industry on the National Preparedness Committee for the Defense and Commerce Departments.

A member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, WV Bill was active in the United Methodist Men and was a former member of the Board of Trustees there.  He served seven years on the Board of Directors for the Methodist Children’s Home, Burlington, WV.

Bill enjoyed traveling, duck hunting and fishing, and dining with family and friends.  He loved vacationing at his home in Kure Beach, NC where he enjoyed surf fishing and crabbing.  One of the earliest members of the Green Glade Club on Deep Creek Lake, he enjoyed spending time at the home he built there in 1943.

Bill is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mabel Lyons Thompson, daughter Sara Thompson Gibbs and son-in-law Tom Gibbs of Taylorsville, KY.

Friends and family will be received at the Boal Funeral Home in Westernport, MD on Sunday, April 28th from 6 to 9 PM.

A funeral service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Piedmont, WV on Monday, April 29th at 2:00 PM, with Rev. Bart Thompson officiating.

Interment will be in Philos Cemetery, Westernport.

In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions in memory of Bill Thompson can be made to either
Trinity United Methodist Church, 34 Jones Street, Piedmont, WV  26750 or Garrett County Historical Society, 107 S. Second Street, Oakland, MD  21550.

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