William Harrison Thompson

Sadly, William left us to be with the Lord on August 9, 2012. Family and friends will sorely miss our dearly beloved William Harrison Thompson. William was the ideal husband, loving father, exemplary grandfather, and loyal friend. Family will be receiving friends on Monday, August 13, 2012, beginning at 6 pm followed by a Rosary at 7 pm and brief service at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel, 4357 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412. Services will be held Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 10 am at St. Andrew’s by the Sea, 14238 Encantada Ave., Corpus Christi, TX 78418. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Church. A Service will be held in Trinity, Texas on Friday, August 17, 2012 followed by Interment at William’s Ranch in Lovelady, Texas.

Born in Trinity, Texas on October 7, 1927, William Harrison Thompson excelled as Football Quarterback, Basketball Star, and Class President during his Trinity school years. Prior to attending Sam Houston State University on a basketball scholarship, William served in the Armed Forces and was based in Alaska where he played on the Army’s winning basketball team. His entrepreneurial spirit grew running his parents’ grocery store and obtaining the first Frigidaire franchise in Trinity, Texas. William bought the House of Furniture in Huntsville, Texas, the start of over 40 years in the furniture business. Lovingly referred to as our “Fearless Leader” by his dedicated employees, William Harrison Thompson opened the Ethan Allen Interiors store in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1973. This enterprising entrepreneur also had established and run Ethan Allen stores in Lufkin, Tyler, and Hearst, Texas. William was an active member of each community in which he lived. He served as President of the Lions Club in Trinity, Texas, a member of the Rotary Club and President of the Kiwanis Club and served in the Elks Lodge in Huntsville, Texas. William was the epitome of a true East Texan storyteller. Always a man of his word, William did business on a handshake. A more honest, loyal and true friend and business associate couldn’t be found. William was known for his extraordinary green thumb and his impressive herb garden and fruit trees.

He is preceded in death by his parents Johnnie Jewel and Alvah Grisby Thompson.

He is survived by wife, Judith Cutright Thompson; his brother, Paul Ray Thompson; his three children: daughter, Sherrie Jo and husband David Patke, son, William Dana Thompson, and daughter, Tracy Ann and husband Fred Fontana; grandchildren, Michael and Patrick Patke, Celeste, Annalisse, and Gianna Fontana; his step children include Angela and Judson Murdock and their three children, Hannah, Jud, and Jack; Simon and wife Kendra Gaugush and their son Grant, and David and wife Lisa Gaugush, and their two sons Stone and Magnum.

In lieu of flowers, donations in William Harrison Thompson’s name may be sent to Gateway Community Partners, MHMR Dawson House and Workshop. Attn: Karen Jackson, 407 S.E. Loop 456, Jacksonville, TX 75766 or to the William H. Thompson Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 4923, Bryan, Texas 77805.