MT. JULIET -- Funeral services will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Sellars Funral Home at Mt. Juliet for Mr. Thompson, 57.

Businessman, pilot and professional racecar driver, he is preceded in death by parents William R. and Mary Kay Thompson of Ellsberry, Missouri.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until the funeral.

Survivors: wife Helen “Mickey” Thompson; children Kimberly Thompson of St. Peters, MO; William Jr. (Darlene) Thompson of Murfreesboro and James (Jenny) Thompson of Olathe, KS  and their soon-to-be born baby; grandchildren  Samantha, Ainsley and William Jacob Thompson; his first wife Sharon McKeever of St. Peters, MO; brother Thomas Thompson of Morton, IL; and 3 nephews.

In 1966, Mr. Thompson was ill and in a pioneering experiment, received the gift of life, a kidney transplant, from his mother’s friend, Verda Walton.  It is believed that Bill was the longest living recipient from a non-related donor.

Even though Mrs. Walton and her husband, Gene Walton, Bill’s close friend, have both passed away, Bill continued to enjoy his relationship with his “kidney sisters”, Paula Garrott and Dena Walton Thrasher, both of Springfield, IL.

He has been owner and partner in many successful business ventures including medical imaging equipment, racecar services and woodworking tools.

His family would like to thank Alive Hospice for their assistance and kind support during his final days.