William Carroll "Bill" Thompson

William Carroll "Bill" Thompson, age 65, of Ash Flat, passed away Monday, August 31, 2015 at the Fulton County Hospital from complications of pulmonary fibrosis and congestive heart failure. He was born September 19, 1949 at Little Rock, Arkansas to William George Thompson and Allie Ellen Kunkel Thompson Saucier. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Hubert Saucier, beloved uncle, David Kunkel, stepdaughter, Jennifer Elliott, stepson, Michael Elliott and best friend, H. Riley McFarland. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Linda Bryant Elliott Thompson; daughter, Serina (Matt) Cole of Cameron, Texas; son, Louis Wayne (Jessica) Thompson of Cabot; son, William A. Thompson of Cameron, Texas; stepson, Darren Elliott of Ward; grandchildren, Asher Jace, Blake, Loagan, Dakota,Taylor, Tara, Sydney Paige and great-granddaughter, Aubree. He is also survived by his stepfather, Ken Saucier; sisters, Phyllis Saucier and JoEllen Saucier-Casey all of Batesville and brother Neal (JoBeth) Saucier of Rogers. Bill is also survived by numerous aunt uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He graduated from Evening Shade High School in 1968 and attended the U of A for two years. He was a Sharp County native and proud of his Cherokee-German heritage. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He always had a tall tale about the "biggest deer/turkey/fish/rabbit he'd ever seen that got away." He and best bud Bill (Apple) Milhaltain spent many hours competing in bass tournaments and telling jokes. Bill worked in grounds keeping, construction, plumbing, Cabot Parks Department and City of Little Rock Parks/Recreation Department before moving back to Sharp County. He worked as a heavy equipment operator 13 years for the Sharp County Road department until his health declined in 2013. Bill was baptized at the Evening Shade Baptist Church. It was his wish to be cremated and his ashes strewn in the Strawberry River, which served as his church, sanctuary and playground. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the Qualls Funeral Home Chapel in Cave City with Gene Moore and Pastor Lynn Beck officiating. The family asks that instead of flowers, please make donations in Bill's name to North Arkansas Vet Clinic, C/O Dr. Mills, Ash Flat, Ark. 72513 to help with medical treatment of abandoned pets.