William Campbell Thomson

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Cam spent more than 50 years in the Washington, DC area. For over 30 years he served as Deputy Director of the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) and was responsible for planning many memorable meetings. As a devoted Redskins fan, he famously entered a Dallas event astride a bull while wearing a headdress and loincloth.

Prior to joining FAH, Cam served as a special assistant to Representative Lester L .Wolff (D-N.Y.) and in 1965, as a civil rights activist, he joined Dr. Martin Luther King in the Selma to Montgomery March. He previously served as a staffer for Hubert Humphrey’s presidential campaign and bore witness to 1968’s tumultuous Democratic National Convention.

During his years with FAH and in the years that followed, he supported an increasing number of Republican congressional and presidential candidates. Since his retirement in 2001, Cam devoted much of his time to renewing friendships and creating political foes via the Internet. He also enjoyed baking rum cakes (“Cam cakes”) and shipping them to military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While reconnecting with friends from Columbia, he co-hosted a reunion of the A.C. Moore first grade class which received local media attention. Following up on that success and recognizing his advanced age, Cam hosted his own premature wake in 2010. The “wake” was held at the Mousetrap Restaurant which in Cam’s words is “Columbia’s premier restaurant and bar.” Prominently displayed was a sign reading “he was fun while he lasted,” a quote attributed to his wife. As a gesture of thanks, Cam provided napkins that read “I attended Cam Thomson’s wake, so he says it’s ok to skip the funeral!”

After attending the Army Language School at the Presidio of Monterey, CA, Cam served two years in Japan as a Russian language interpreter during the Korean War. He then attended the University of South Carolina and later earned a law degree from George Washington University.

Cam leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Mariann, and a son, Jeremy, of Philadelphia.

At Cam’s request there will be no funeral. A gathering of friends and family will be held at a later date in Alexandria. Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of choice or to A.C. Moore Elementary School, 333 Etiwan Ave, Columbia, SC 29205.