Wayne Charles Thompson

Wayne was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on April 5, 1949, to George and Margaret (Bennett) Thompson. The family moved to Middle Tennessee when he was 3 years old where he later graduated from Watertown High School.

Wayne had a great love for horses that was evident from an early age. He worked for Donald Paschal with Tennessee Walking Horses in high school and the years following graduation in which they won World Championships with two different horses. Over the years, Wayne always owned and enjoyed his own horses.

On February 16, 1973, Wayne married the love of his life Gail Thomas at Bellwood Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Though blessed in many ways, they felt most blessed by their three children, Lori, Jeremy, and Jessica.

Wayne became a Greyhound bus driver in 1976, and the family was eventually transferred from Nashville to Abilene in 1983. He enjoyed driving a bus for many years. During this time, Wayne also became a licensed auctioneer and he and Gail ran an auction house. The family later moved to the Hodges/Hawley area where Wayne went to work for Pride Refining hauling crude oil. He also continued to enjoy farming, raising and training horses and of course, cheering on his kids and then grandkids at countless games and other school activities.

Being a professional driver and auctioneer were only a few of his talents. Wayne was also a talented songwriter, poet, and singer. These talents led him to being a song leader, quartet singer, solo singer, and a faithful deacon.

Above all his favorite job title was Bampa to five grandkids and four great grandkids. He was a fun Bampa with lots of jokes and a quick wit and was known for the phrase he would say each time he had to part with one of them: “Remember who you are” then later in years became, more importantly, “Remember Whose you are”.

Wayne was most recently an active member of First Baptist Church of Abilene where he and Gail have enjoyed many activities, especially the Senior Adult Class.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaret Bennett Thompson, his sister, Linda Patterson, brother-in-law, Danny Gilbert and his sister-in-law, Laura Thompson.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 53+ years Gail Thompson; his daughters, Lori (Manuel) Bernal and Jessica Thompson; his son, Jeremy (Mandy) Thompson; his grandchildren, Savannah (Dylan) Ritchie, Colton (Shae) Stoker, Tate Thompson, Bo Thompson and Grace Stoker; his great grandchildren, Tyson, Caiden and Zane Ritchie and Sawyer Stoker; his sisters, Gail (Harry) Bennett, Georgia (Terry) Wilkerson, Karen Gilbert, brother, George Thompson and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Honorary Pallbearers – Former Fellow Greyhound Bus Drivers

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 3:30-7pm at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 US-277, Abilene, TX 79606. Memorial Service will be Thursday at 1pm at First Baptist Church, 1333 N 3rd St, Abilene, TX 79601.

The family owes a great debt of gratitude for the many years of care provided by Dr. David Blackwood, Dr. Gorman Thorp, Dr. Fred White, Dr. William Shudde and their staff. The family would also like to express their great appreciation for Angie C. and Yolanda S. with Hendrick Home Hospice along with the kind and caring staff of Hendrick Hospice Care.

Wayne’s greatest desire was for everyone to know Jesus. If he were standing here today, he would say, "Accept Jesus as your Savior, follow Him, enjoy His Love and go to Heaven or reject Jesus and go to Hell. There are only two choices."