William S. Thompson

Billy Sam/Sam/Bill Thompson - depending on how you knew him - died February 7, 2025. Sam was born to Agnes Fuller Thompson and Bill Thompson in Skidmore, Kansas on March 31, 1931. 

He married Erma Ellen Clevenger on September 17, 1955 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Scammon, Kansas. They had six children: Teresa Thompson Hook Klaus (Jim), Tom, Marshall (Michelle), Brian, Brad (Violet) and Deana Funk (Byron). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. 

Sam was so excited to learn that his 15th great-grandchild was due on June 6, 2025 - which would have been Sam’s mother’s 120th birthday! He is also survived by his brother, Dan Thompson (Suzanne). 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Erma, children Teresa and Marshall, sisters Vernadean Barnes and Collette Burgan and brother Vernon “Bud” Thompson. 

Sam served our country proudly by joining the United States Navy from August 1950 - June 1954. Then he began attending Pittsburg State University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. On the day that Sam graduated from college, he began his career at Sears, Roebuck and Company, where he would spend his entire career until he retired in 1994. 

He and Erma were married while Sam was in college and they began their family. They raised their six kids and it was a busy household as there were often extra kids over and activities and sporting events. Sam and Erma developed a passion for following the softball team that Deana played on, the Olathe Express (later becoming the Peppers) as well as KU Softball. After Erma passed in 2013, Sam kept busy by spending time praying at Adoration at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, playing golf (a life-long love!), and drinking coffee at the clubhouse with his golf buddies - the “old men” as he liked to call them! 

Sam missed Erma immensely and could tell you to the day, how long it had been since she passed. He made no bones about it that he was ready to pass from this earth to Eternal Life as soon as it was his turn. After a short illness, Sam passed at home peacefully surrounded by his family and was granted his final wish. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a disease that the family became all too familiar with as grand daughter Shannon was born with. Donate

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