WILLIAM THOMPSON

William “Bill” Thompson passed away on Friday, November 25th at the age of 91. Bill died peacefully with his loving daughters by his side. Son of George and Anna (Bredemeyer) Thompson, Bill attended Menasha High school, where his love of football began.  After graduating in 1943, Bill joined the Army serving as captain until 1946.  In his later years, Bill remembered his time in the Army fondly.  After the Army, Bill attended Lawrence University graduating in 1950.  At Lawrence, Bill was the captain of the football team, joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and met his future wife Dorothy Beltz.  Dorothy was his biggest fan (of which he had many) – they were married for 65 years before Dorothy's passing in March 2016.

In 1950, Bill started what was to become a successful career in the paper, printing, and publishing industries. Bill worked as Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Bergstrom Paper Company for 30 years, at Banta Corporation for 10 years and as a consultant for another 15 years.  Bill won numerous awards for his work in the industry and thrived on “getting the order.”

In addition to his work, Bill was a community leader, serving as board member and fundraiser for STEP Industries, the Neenah Menasha YMCA, the Bergstrom Mahler Museum, the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame, Lawrence University, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Outside of work, Bill loved to hand-color black and white photographs, play tennis, toast a Dewar's, travel the world with Dorothy, peruse catalogs for new bowties or socks, read the Wall Street Journal and play golf with his best friends.

Bill was a great teacher and mentor to many.   He had a great sense of humor and loved people. Bill's family meant the world to him. He was devoted to Dorothy, the best dad ever and a much loved Grandpa Bill to his grandchildren.

And for Bill, Vince Lombardi said it right:  “I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.”  Rest In Peace.

William is survived by his children, Julie Heller, Lucy Thompson, Susan Thompson (Michael Foley), grandchildren, Lelan Foley, Bennett Foley, Audry Heller, Austin Heller, nieces and nephews and many friends. William is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, his brother, George Thompson and his parents.

A memorial service will be held for Bill on Friday, December 9th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Menasha. A visitation will precede the service starting at 9:30 a.m. Full military honors will follow with the Neenah Menasha Veterans Honor Guard and the US Army along with a lunch reception.

Memorials may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice in memory of Bill.