| William Ross Thompson |
WILLIAM ROSS THOMPSON
Col. William "Bill" Ross Thompson, USA
(Ret) passed away peacefully on March 19, 2011,
at his home in Coronado, CA, of respiratory failure.
Bill was born on August 17, 1935 in Lansing,
MI. He graduated from Eastern High School in 1953, entered West
Point that fall and graduated in 1957, selecting Field Artillery as his branch
of service. During his 28-year career he served two tours in VietNam as
an advisor to the Vietnamese Army, received an MS from University of
Rochester and spent a number of years in the Army Research &
Development (R&D) field. He had two tours in the Operational Test and
Evaluation Agency, culminating with his becoming the Chief of Staff. His
last assignment was on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of the Army
for R&D. He retired in 1985.Colonel Thompson's awards include the
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, three Air Medals,
Combat Infantryman Badge and a number of Vietnamese decorations.
A long-time Fairfax, VA resident, Bill entered civilian life in
Washington, where he worked as technical advisor and program manager
until 1993. He moved to Coronado, CA in 2002 where he enjoyed golf,
biking and volunteer work for the Coronado Historical Society.
Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife, Nancy Hydinger Thompson
of Fairfax, VA. He is survived by his four children, son David of Hilo, HI,
daughters Tera Sanders (Jay) of Douglas, AK, Rebecca Thompson and
her son Zeb of South Lake Tahoe, CA, and Alison Renee Thompson of
San Francisco, CA, as well as his twin sister, Janet Streib of Crystal Lake,
IL and her two children, Julie and Kurt. Bill is also survived by his good
friend, Carol Hedwall, of Coronado, CA.
Bill will be fondly remembered for his gregarious style, quick wit and
wry sense of humor. He was a loyal and generous friend. Interment will
be at Arlington National Cemetery along side his deceased wife.
Published in The Washington Post on April 3, 2011
Col. William "Bill" Ross Thompson, USA
(Ret) passed away peacefully on March 19, 2011,
at his home in Coronado, CA, of respiratory failure.
Bill was born on August 17, 1935 in Lansing,
MI. He graduated from Eastern High School in 1953, entered West
Point that fall and graduated in 1957, selecting Field Artillery as his branch
of service. During his 28-year career he served two tours in VietNam as
an advisor to the Vietnamese Army, received an MS from University of
Rochester and spent a number of years in the Army Research &
Development (R&D) field. He had two tours in the Operational Test and
Evaluation Agency, culminating with his becoming the Chief of Staff. His
last assignment was on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of the Army
for R&D. He retired in 1985.Colonel Thompson's awards include the
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, three Air Medals,
Combat Infantryman Badge and a number of Vietnamese decorations.
A long-time Fairfax, VA resident, Bill entered civilian life in
Washington, where he worked as technical advisor and program manager
until 1993. He moved to Coronado, CA in 2002 where he enjoyed golf,
biking and volunteer work for the Coronado Historical Society.
Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife, Nancy Hydinger Thompson
of Fairfax, VA. He is survived by his four children, son David of Hilo, HI,
daughters Tera Sanders (Jay) of Douglas, AK, Rebecca Thompson and
her son Zeb of South Lake Tahoe, CA, and Alison Renee Thompson of
San Francisco, CA, as well as his twin sister, Janet Streib of Crystal Lake,
IL and her two children, Julie and Kurt. Bill is also survived by his good
friend, Carol Hedwall, of Coronado, CA.
Bill will be fondly remembered for his gregarious style, quick wit and
wry sense of humor. He was a loyal and generous friend. Interment will
be at Arlington National Cemetery along side his deceased wife.
Published in The Washington Post on April 3, 2011
