Bill Thompson

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- W.R. "Bill" Thompson, 81, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, at his home in Charleston.

He was born Sept. 17, 1936, in Charleston to William Hazzard and Edna Mae McElmurry Thompson.

A resident of Mississippi County, Missouri, his entire life, he was a graduate of Charleston High School and then studied agriculture at the University of Missouri in Columbia. He had farmed since 1955, received his license as a private pilot in 1959, and was elected Mississippi County assessor, serving from 1996 to 2009.

A member of the First Baptist Church, he sang in the church choir and was a member of the men's quartet. He was a charter board member of the Delta Growers Association Cooperative, a member of the Charleston Lions Club, and a former member and worshipful master of the Charleston Masonic Lodge 407 AF&AM.

On Nov. 5, 1967, he married Peggy Ann Simpkins Crecelius, who survives of the home.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, John Hazzard (Michelle) Thompson and Jason Lee (Sammi Jo) Thompson, all of Charleston; eight grandchildren, John Andrew Thompson, Boyd Hunter (Shelby) Thompson, Maggie Merz, Wade Merz and Robbie Carden, all of Charleston, Lee Parker Thompson and Courtney Carden of East Prairie, Missouri, and Aaron Black of Sikeston, Missouri; also three great-grandchildren, Amiya Black, Amora Black and Shooter Thompson of Charleston; and two sisters, Janet Presson and Eleanor Crowell.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church.

Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the pastor, the Rev. George Nite, officiating. Interment will follow in East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Dale Glenn, Adam Glenn, Carl Simpkins, Trey Simpkins, Mike Bryant and Andy Bryant. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of his motorcycle group, the Stone Ponies.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Music Program, P.O. Box 442, Charleston, MO 63834; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to St. Henry Catholic School, 306 Court St., Charleston, MO 63834.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.