William Thompson Obituary

Thompson, William L. William L. Thompson, 87 years old of Antioch, IL passed away Friday July 22, 2011, at his home that he loved. He was born March 8, 1924 in Oak Park, IL the son of the late Raymond Alexander and Viola (Kuhaupt) Thompson. He was a life-long resident of Lake County and had proudly served in the United States Navy as a pilot during WW II and had been a member of the Lake Villa VFW Post #4308. Bill was a graduate of Antioch High School, Lake Forest College, earned his B.S. Degree from University of IL, his M.A. Degree from Roosevelt University and his graduate and advanced study from Northwestern University. His professional involvements included teacher, principal and lifelong honorary trustee for the Allendale School for Boys in Lake Villa in which his father had been director; civilian basketball coach at Fort Sheridan; Director of Educational Programs for the Lake County Chapter of the Am. Red Cross; Assistant Lake County Superintendent of Schools 1952-1958; manager for the Sherwood Park Corporation 1958-1961; Superintendent of the Fox Lake Grade School District #114 1961-1971; First Assistant Superintendent of the Lake County Ed. Service Region 1971-1975;Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools 1975 until his retirement in 1987. After his retirement, he was a one-year interim superintendent for the North Chicago School District, an educational consultant to the Regional Superintendent of schools and appointed by the State of IL to govern the Round Lake School District until they were released from financial probation. Bill was an integral part in the organization and establishment of the College of Lake County, and was continually involved with finding the unmet need for students for healthcare and health services training. His affiliations included the Am. Assoc of School Administrators, the IL Assoc of School Administrators, the Superintendents Round Table of Northern Illinois, IL Assoc of Curriculum Development, IL Assoc of Superintendents of Ed. Service Regions, and Lake County Assoc of School Administrators. His former memberships included; past president of the Lake Villa C.C. School Dist. #41 Board of Education, Lake County School Board Assoc, Past member of the Lake County Safety Commission, Lake County Chapter of the Board of Directors for the Am Red Cross, a founding and past member of the Lake Villa Rescue Squad, former member of the Special Ed. District of Lake County Executive Board, Lake County Republican Federation Board of Governors, Lake Villa Twsp Republican Committeeman and Twsp Chairman, Schools Div. of the United Way of Lake County Campaign Cabinet, Advisory Council of the Lake County C.E.T.A., Lake County Governmental Study Commission, IL Office of Ed. Regional Services Planning Task Force, Truancy and Alternative Ed. School Problems Sub-Committee, Lake County Area Vocational Center Board of Control and Educational Consultant for the Great Lakes Preservation Team to Save Great Lakes. He was honored to have a school, the William L. Thompson Grade School in Lake Villa named after him. Additionally he was a Master Gardener, volunteer at the Antioch Historical Society, co-wrote the column "Garden Patch" with his wife for the Lakeland Publishers and his own publications, Chronology of the Organizations of Lake County School Districts, 1840-1990 and What Ever Happened to the Old School House? A Record of Transactions 1900-1990. Of all his accomplishments his family and friends were his greatest treasure. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, classical and band music, animals and nature and was a true conservationist. On April 26, 1973 he married La Verne (nee Beskow) Henderson in Waukegan, IL. Survivors include his loving wife and soul mate of 38 years, La Verne; their children, John Thompson, Philip (Kathryn) Henderson, Dan Thompson, Don Thompson and Cindy (Brian) Donegan; his treasured grandchildren, Philip Wm. (Elizabeth) Henderson, Miller Ford, Colette Henderson, Caitlin, Shannon and Erin Donegan; his first great-granddaughter, Daniella Henderson and his beloved Bichons, Maggie and Lacy. Bill enjoyed many close relationships and leaves behind many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Marguerite and a brother, Robert Thompson. Services and interment are private. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to a scholarship fund to be established in his name. Arrangements were entrusted to the STRANG FUNERAL HOME OF ANTIOCH. Please sign the online guestbook at www.strangfh.com