Boyd Whitesell Thompson Jr.

Boyd W. Thompson, Jr., 95, passed away Saturday, July 9, 2016. He was born June 1, 1921 in Augusta County, a son of the late Boyd W. and Nora F. Thompson. He was a graduate of New Hope High School and was employed by the DuPont Company in Waynesboro prior to enlistment in the U. S. Army Air Corps on January 2, 1942. His WW ll service included the famous B-17 Bomber, 32nd Bomb Squadron, 301st Bomb Group in the 8th Air Force in England, the 12th Air Force in North America and the 15th Air Force in Italy. His Air Force awards were: The Tunisian, Sicilian, Naples, Foggia, Rome, Southern France, Po Valley and Germany Battle Stars. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a charter member of B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 351. In 1945, he married the former Rose B. Swisher who preceded him in death. Mr. Thompson was a member of Christ Lutheran Church. He was a graduate of the first Cosmetology Class at the Woodrow Wilson Technical School in Fishersville. He was also a graduate of Adolph’s Harper Method School of Hairstyling in Atlanta, Georgia, Bruno’s School of Hair Design in Toronto, Canada and the Leon Amendola School of Hairstyling in New York City. On January 3, 1952, he opened his first Boyd’s Hairdresser Salon at 11 E. Frederick Street in Staunton and the Staunton School of Cosmetology in 1956. His first Hair Mates Salon was opened in Waynesboro in 1973. Having attended numerous educational events, he was President of the Staunton School of Cosmetology Corporation with hairstyling salons in Staunton, Waynesboro and Harrisonburg. He was also President of the Virginia Schools of Cosmetology Corporation in Richmond and the CTM Corporation located in Roanoke, with Salons in Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Salem and Mechanicsville. He was a member of the Virginia State Beauty Schools Association and served on their board of directors. In 1963, he was elected President of the Virginia State Hairdressers and Cosmetology Association and also served as their Styles Director. Survivors include his brother, Francis W. Thompson and his wife, Edith of Waynesboro and his family; a special friend, Linda Queen of Staunton. A special thank you is given to Patty Stanley for her care during Mr. Thompson’s illness. Following a private burial, a memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 18, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church by Pastor Robert McCarty. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, 2807 North Augusta Street, Staunton, VA. 24401 or to a charity of one’s choice. There will be no public viewing or visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Staunton Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com