In Memory of Bill Thompson

William Henry Thompson

Spouse: Yoko Thompson
Children: Young Nam, Kayoung, Kasun (Eric), and Yeji
DOB: November 18, 1950
Blessing: July 1, 1982
Ascension: July 26, 2024
Seonghwa Ceremony: August 3, 2024
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/0f1bcbbf

William Henry Thompson was born on November 18, 1950, in Bethesda, Maryland. In his younger years, Bill was a very happy and active child. Every Sunday he used to walk three miles to Mass with his mother and sisters. After church the kids always had a banana split.

He attended Montgomery College in Maryland. When he was 18, Bill developed an ulcer in his large intestine which he had to deal with his whole life. Bill’s three maternal uncles were Catholic priests; perhaps this is why God and Faith were always important to him. He was always thinking about God.

Bill was 24 when, in June of 1975, he met a missionary from Germany and joined the Unification Church in Los Angeles, California. He worked for the Washington Monument event in September of 1976 and put his whole heart into it. Shortly after the event, Bill’s mission was changed to Master Marine, Inc. in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. While he was a security guard for Master Marine shipyard, he read hundreds of True Father’s printed speeches which were available at that time. He was so inspired by Rev. Moon’s speeches that he continued to read them up until his last surgery in May 2024. 

Bill’s mission in Bayou La Batre included both shrimping and tuna fishing on the Master Marine built shrimp boat “The Sunrise” which was later converted to a long liner to catch yellowfin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico. He continued fishing for about ten years until his health would no longer allow it. One day Bill met True Father who asked him how long he had been working on the fishing boat. Bill told him “Ten years.” True Father told Bill he was proud of him for working so hard. 

Bill was Blessed to Yoko Kuruma October 14, 1982, in Seoul, Korea. They have four children. Bill had a flower business and enjoyed meeting people and telling jokes to make them laugh. His return customers often mention how they enjoyed Bill’s cheerful nature and funny jokes.

Bill departed from this life on July 26, 2024, with his wife, his children and grandchildren around him. He is survived by his wife, Yoko, his children Young Nam, Kayoung, Kasun (Eric), and Yeji, and his two bright and joyful grandsons, Morgan and Rayden Alvarez, as well as two younger sisters and a younger brother.