Mr. William J. "Billy" Thompson

FORT MEADE - Mr. William J. "Billy" Thompson, 84, passed away Sunday, November 6, 2022 in Lakeland, FL. Billy was born May 3, 1938 in Brewster, FL and has been a resident of Fort Meade nearly his entire life. He was a longtime manager in the phosphate industry, along with being a citrus grower and cattleman. Billy was a 1957 graduate of Fort Meade High School, a member of the Florida Farm Bureau, member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Meade; and he enjoyed off shore fishing, golf, and other outdoor activities in his spare time.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Earle Hawley Thompson, Sr. and Winifred Bostick Long Thompson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, B.C. and Tessie Mann; sister, Bettye Barnett and husband Ragon, Jr.; nephew, Marty Hasty; extended family members, Wilford Manley, Jr., Gloria Jean Durrance.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janice M. Thompson, Fort Meade, FL; brother, Earle Hawley "Buzzy" Thompson, Jr. & wife Margaret, Bartow, FL; sisters, Fay Thompson Hastey, Lakeland, FL, Karla Sue Venable, Mayo, FL; extended family members, Bobby, Keith and Kathy Durrance; nieces and nephews, Betty Ann Sykes & husband Gary, Jesse Ragon, "Ragie" Barnett, all of Fort Meade, FL, and Susan Virginia Hasty and husband Tommy, Lakeland, FL; several great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church of Fort Meade. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary, and interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade.

Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171