Billy J. Thompson

Billy Jim Thompson of Jackson, Mississippi, went home to be with the Lord on December 5, 2014, at the age of 91. He was a devoted and much loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and mentor whose strong faith and gentle spirit were evident to all who knew him. He was born in D’Lo, Mississippi on December 26, 1922, and lived there until he left to attend Mississippi State University, where he played and lettered in varsity basketball and earned a degree in civil engineering. During this time Billy also served during World War II as a captain in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Pacific theater.

He returned to Mississippi following his active duty and was employed in the construction business, with both M. T. Reid and Wise Construction before eventually establishing Jones & Thompson Construction Company with his partner, Bill Jones. He worked with Jones & Thompson until his retirement. While a contractor Billy served a term as President of the local Mississippi Association of General Contractors chapter, and he participated in various AGC projects, including relief efforts with Hurricane Camille in the summer of 1969.

Billy loved being with his family above all else. He was blessed being married for over 67 years to the love of his life and best friend, the former Helen McKee of Starkville, and he adored being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Billy loved his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and served his local church actively, including more recently First Baptist Church, Jackson, and before that Broadmoor Baptist Church. He was an ordained deacon, and served as chairman of the deacons. He was active in numbers of projects at both churches, including “The Following,” the Easter program at Broadmoor, plus many years of Carols by Candlelight at First Baptist. His fellow choir members voted him into the adult choir Hall of Fame. He was also an active participant in a number of other church-affiliated endeavors such as Habitat for Humanity. Billy was also a volunteer in a number of community-related activities on behalf of Jackson Academy and North Jackson Youth Baseball, among others. He always stood ready to provide support in a wide variety of ways to those who sought his advice and counsel.

Billy is survived by his wife, Helen McKee Thompson; children, Tommy (Sally) Thompson of Franklin, Tennessee; Anne Thompson of Memphis, Tennessee; Jane (Jim) Barnes of Knoxville, Tennessee; and David (Susan) Thompson of Roanoke, Virginia; grandchildren Scott Thompson, Kelly Thompson, Brett Thompson, Dave Barnes, Beth Winterburn, Brad Barnes, Kate Thompson, Anna Thompson, and Maggie Thompson; and great-grandchildren Daveney Winterburn, Thompson Winterburn, Anne Harris Winterburn, Ben Barnes, and Suzanna Jane Barnes.

The family wishes to thank those who so lovingly cared for him in recent years- Linda Gardner for her daily, loving devotion of five years, and her husband Elijah, to his faithful and loving caregivers Ella Aldridge, Kelia Brown, Jeanette Cavett, Ethel Frazier, Karen Grimes, Ruth Hill, Marie Holmes, Erica Owens, Barbara Rembert, Barbara Robinson, Deborah Taylor, and Peggy Wilson, and many thanks to faithful friends Mike Malone and Glen Wooten.

Lastly, the family would like to extend its deep and heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Mark Meeks, friend and physician of years, for his unfailing, constant and loving care- words fail to convey the depth of our gratitude.

Visitation will be 11:00am-1:00pm Monday December 8, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Jackson followed by a funeral service at 1:00pm. Burial will be in Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Jackson , Adult Choir Fund, 431 North State St., Jackson, MS 39201.

Arrangements under the direction of Parkway Funeral Home, Ridgeland, MS.