Avis de décès de Hall-Williams Thompson - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

THOMPSON, Hall WilliamsAge 87, of Shoal Creek, died on October 27, 2010. Born May 28, 1923, to DeWitt Clinton Thompson, Jr. and Mary Gibson Thompson, Hall Thompson grew up the third of four children in Nashville, TN. After graduating from Duncan Preparatory School in 1941, he attended Vanderbilt University until called to serve his country in World War II. He married his beloved wife of 66 years, Lucille Ryals Thompson, in 1944. From March 1943 until January 1946, he served with the United States Army Air Corps in the Pacific. Returning to Nashville following his military service, he again entered Vanderbilt, while at the same time assuming responsibilities at General Truck Sales, a company founded by his father. During twelve years with General Truck Sales, the nation's largest privately owned GMC truck outlet, he served in all facets of the company, and left the Tennessee business while serving as its Executive Vice President and General Manager. In 1957, he acquired the North Alabama dealership for Caterpillar, Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of earth-moving and construction equipment. Thompson Tractor Co., Inc. became an Alabama corporation, and established its headquarters in Birmingham. Under Hall Thompson's leadership, the firm would become one of the most successful Caterpillar dealerships in the nation. He retired from Thompson Tractor Co., Inc. in 1983. In 1959, he established Thompson Realty Company, Inc. where he still worked until his death. In Birmingham, Hall was always heavily involved in community affairs. He served on a number of corporate boards, including AmSouth Bank, South Central Bell, BellSouth Telecommunications, Protective Life Corporation and Alabama By Products Corporation. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Crippled Children's Foundation and was President of the Eye Foundation Hospital. He was past director of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and the State Chamber of Commerce as well as the Associated Industries of Alabama. Hall Thompson served on the Vanderbilt University Board of Trustees until his retirement in 1993. A dedicated golfer, Hall Thompson fulfilled a longtime goal by finding the perfect property on which to construct a superior golf course. A combination of his extensive background in golf, a magnificent piece of property and the expert design by Jack Nicklaus resulted in the 1977 development of the golf course and community known as Shoal Creek. The course gained national and international recognition in the world of golf, and has hosted four national championships. Shoal Creek has been ranked the number one golf course in the state of Alabama every year since its inception and is also where Hall called home. A lifelong Republican, Hall Thompson actively served both the state and national parties. His honors include an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1978 and an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Samford University in 1982. He was inducted into the University of Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 1992 and was inducted into the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame in 1999 by the Birmingham Kiwanis Club. In August 2004, Hall Thompson was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor. He received the Spain-Hickman Distinguished Service Award from The Birmingham Rotary Club in 2008. He also received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from Judson College and was honored by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame as Alabama's first Distinguished Sportsman in 1985. Hall was a member of Mountain Brook Baptist Church, The Birmingham Rotary Club, The Monday Morning Quarterback Club (1974 Captain), The Beaux Arts Krewe, The ROMEO'S, Shoal Creek, The Country Club of Birmingham, Mountain Brook Club, Elk River Country Club and the Augusta National Golf Club. Hall Thompson was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Gibson Thompson and DeWitt Clinton Thompson, Jr., Nashville, TN; his brother, DeWitt Clinton Thompson III, Nashville, TN; his sister, Sue Thompson Fort, Nashville, TN; and his granddaughter, Mary Alston Thompson. He is survived by his wife, Lucille Ryals Thompson, Shoal Creek, AL; his sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Thompson Hobbs, Nashville, TN; his children, Judith Thompson, DeLand, FL; Hall Williams Thompson, Jr. (Patricia); George Clinton Thompson (Nancy); Michael DeWitt Thompson (Genie); Lisa Thompson Smith (Howard), all of Birmingham; his grandchildren, Benjamin Hall Thompson, Caroline Thompson Little (Mark); Lucy Thompson Marsh (Jacob); George Clinton Thompson, Jr.; Dorothy Ryals Thompson; Mallie Elizabeth Froehlich; Eugenia Maxwell Thompson; Anne DeWitt Thompson, all of Birmingham; and his great grandchildren, Nancy Ryals Little; Hallsey Bryant Marsh; DeWitt Vanderite Little, all of Birmingham. He was an avid turkey and quail hunter and enjoyed fishing at his farm as well. He was a businessman, a scratch golfer, a pilot, a philanthropist, a patriot, an outdoorsman, a pioneer, a visionary, and most importantly a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. A memorial service will be on Friday, October 29, at 11 o'clock a.m., at the Mountain Brook Baptist Church, with Dr. Jim Moebes presiding. The family will greet visitors at the Church following the service. There will be a private burial for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to The Crippled Children's Foundation, United Way of Central Alabama, Mountain Brook Baptist Church, The American Village or to a charity of your choice. Funeral services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, located on Oxmoor Road in Homewood, (205)879-3401.