Remembering Community Icon, Rev. Dr. William L. Thompson, Sr.

William L. Thompson was born on January 25, 1936 in Pamplico, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Eva Thompson and Willie Allen Thompson reared in Florence County. He was a graduate of Gibbs High School Class of 1954 in Pamplico, South Carolina.

In his early years, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and became a faithful member of Spring Branch Baptist Church and served as a Trustee.

As “love” would have it on November 13, 1958, he was united in Holy Matrimony to the Love of his life Geneva Eagleton. This union together raised seven children-four boys and three girls.

Rev. Thompson became employed by Atlantic Coast Railroad and worked until his retirement. He had a desire for Entrepreneurship and later established and became the owner and operator of Thompson Barber Shop. As time passed, he had a passion for serving the community and wanted to share his skills. He started Thompson and Sons Barber College where students would learn the art of Barbering. He later opened Thompson’s Master Hair Care for graduating students to work and earn a living. During this time an even greater step was made to answer God’s calling into the ministry in 1964. In 1968 he became Pastor of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Dovesville, South Carolina where he served for over 32 years and in 1970 he pastored Mount Clair Missionary Baptist Church in Lake City, South Carolina where he served for 46 years.

Rev. Thompson has received numerous awards, medals and achievements during his lifetime. He was a member of Mill Branch Masonic Lodge #231 and Pee Dee Consistory #197. He was Moderator of the Greater Pee Dee Educational and Missionary Association in 2003, where it’s one of the largest contributors to Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. Because of the dedication Rev. Thompson had for school, he enrolled at Morris College to study Pastoral Ministry in 2002 and graduated in 2006 with a Bachelors of Arts degree.

Rev. Thompson always would say, “In the grand scheme of things, all he wanted for his existence here on earth would be meaningful and helpful to bless someone along life’s journey.” “Rev,” as he was called, showed the Florence Community just that. He was a Mentor, Pastor and Leader to many.

His impact lead to part of Dargan Street, Florence, South Carolina being named in his honor.

Rev. Thompson is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Geneva; two daughters, Jacqueline Gregg and Sharon T. Benjamin; son, Levette Thompson; and his only brother, Evand “Vance” Thompson.

He leaves to cherish his memories: three sons, Sheldon (Deborah) Thompson, Gradlin (Carol) Thompson and William “Jr” (Angel) Thompson, Jr. all of Florence, South Carolina; two daughters, Garcia “Dodie” (Reverend George B.) Washington and Wanda Thompson both of Florence, South Carolina; three sisters-in-law, Louise E. Belin and Shirley Eagleton both of Florence, South Carolina and Frances Eagleton of Richmond, Virginia; an adopted sister, JoAnn Lacy of Richmond, Virginia; twenty-six grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, abundance of God-children, other relatives, church families and friends.

Please keep the family of Rev. Dr. William Levi Thompson, Sr. in your thoughts and prayers.