Dr. William (Bill) W. Thompson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee passed away on August 27, 2025 at the age of 85. The second of four sons, William was born to Sarah Petty Thompson and Harry Butler Thompson on July 7, 1940. He was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, but he spent his childhood and graduated from high school in Berryville, Virginia. He served in the United States Army from 1959-1962.  Upon his discharge, he enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where he met his wife Sallie Powell at freshman registration.

William earned his Bachelor's in Economics then completed the very first MBA at MTSU. Next he obtained his Ph.D. in Marketing at the University of Arkansas. He went on to teach at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana; Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana; the University of Tennessee at Martin in Martin, Tennessee; Pan American University in Brownsville, Texas; and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas, from which he retired in 2010.

William was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Harry and Johnny, and his sons Jorge, Eli, and David. He is survived by his children, Samuel, Sara, Celia, and Elizabeth, twelve grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

William lived in service to others. He was always happy to help, whether it be for his family, friends, students, church or community. In his later years he and Sallie traveled extensively, touching every continent but Antarctica, sometimes with a grandchild in tow.

A funeral will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, at 701 S. Missouri Avenue in Weslaco, Texas at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025. All are welcome to attend.