BILL JOE THOMPSON

1932-2022

Billy Joe Thompson passed away peacefully, with his dear wife of 62 years, Paula, by his side, on March 8, 2022 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Bill was born December 20, 1932 near Charleston, MO. From early in life he excelled: Eagle Scout, football, basketball, track, band, Glee Club, and National Honor Society. He was selected Homecoming King, Most Handsome, Most Popular, and Salutatorian of the Class of 1950.

Bill enlisted in the Air

Force and served at Rhein Main AFB in Germany. After discharge in 1956, he earned a degree in electrical engineering on the GI Bill, supplemented by washing dishes. He was a member of the Blue Key honor fraternity, Theta Tau engineering fraternity and Sigma Pi fraternity.

In 1959, he was hired to work at the rocket launch facility in Cape Canaveral, FL. He married the lovely Paula Beasley in December and they began their new life together experiencing the excitement of life in Cocoa Beach, FL during the height of the space race. Bill launched Thor missiles, worked on the Saturn rocket, and was a member of the Apollo Launch Team. Settled in Satellite Beach, they had a wide circle of friends and enjoyed cookouts, bridge, sun and surf, singing in the church choir, and many parties during those exciting decades of the 60’s and 70’s on the Florida Space Coast. He was a very involved father, leading frequent family outings to the beach or to camp and teaching his kids to swim, play ball, and tennis, as well as taking us on exciting summer road trips.

Bill filled his retirement years with golf, tennis, reading, music, DIY projects, and travel, including Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, and Europe. In 2002, Bill and Paula moved to Houston to be closer to children and grandchildren. They sang in the choir of Clear Lake United Methodist Church and enjoyed watching their grandchildren grow up.

Bill was the rock of our family - calm, kind, strong, patient, generous, and humble – loved and admired by all. In short, he was an exemplary gentleman and the smartest, most capable person we all knew. It was heartbreaking to have Alzheimer’s take so much from him in his last years. He will be greatly missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his wife Paula; sister Betty; children Susan Hanley of Houston, Rebecca Thompson of Dallas, Paul Thompson and wife Melinda of Vancouver, WA; and six beloved grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Clear Lake United Methodist Church Choir or the charity of your choice.