William Arthur Thompson's Obituary
On Sunday November 18, 2018, William A. (Bill) Thompson, loving Husband and Father passed gently away at age 94.Bill was born on Jan 7 1924 in Xenia, Illinois to Paul and Ruby Thompson.He studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois. With the advent of WWII, Bill joined the Navy and proudly served as a Radio Operator on the USS Sturdevant (DE-239 – a Navy Escort Destroyer), making some 20 Atlantic crossings during the war.On Nov 28, 1946, he married the love of his life, Miss Sallie Hinton. They raised 2 children, Vicki Lynn Thompson and Jerry Ray ThompsonBill had a passion for reading, sailing (Catalina 22 sailboat #31) and keeping his radio skills fine tuned as a member of the International Ham Radio Operators “Tin Cup” .Bill and Sallie moved to Tulsa in 1948 where they started their family and where Bill started his 40 year career with KOTV. Bill was very proud of his accomplishments at KOTV to include never missing a day of work. Also while with KOTV Bill was instrumental in the creation and broadcast of KOED-TV, as well as creating the first KOTV “Live Eye” vehicle and engineering the fist broadcast. Bill built the “Live Eye” out of a bread truck.Bill was preceded in death by his father Paul, his mother Ruby and his wife Sallie.He is survived by his two children Vicki (Ron) and Jerry, 2 Grandsons, Sean and Jason, and 2 Great Grand Daughters, Grace and Selah.Viewing will be held Monday, November 26th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Floral Haven Funeral Home.Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at Floral Haven Funeral Home with Scott Wintz officiating.Military Honors will be conducted by the United States Navy.
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