Obituary of William T Thompson Jr.

William Theodore (Ted) Thompson Jr, 90, passed away Saturday evening April 1, 2023.

Born in Dover, New Jersey on August 29, 1932, Ted is the oldest of three siblings.  As a child, he had relatives in Brooklyn and enjoyed visiting and playing stickball in the streets.  He was also an avid baseball player whose position was pitcher.  He was looked at by the Red Sox and invited to practice but was unable to attend.  He also enjoyed playing marbles in town, swimming wherever he and his friends found a place to swim,  and finding odd jobs.  He was a hardworking man always working multiple jobs to support his family. 

Ted graduated from Dover High School and went on to enlist in the United States Navy on September 24, 1952.  He served during the Korean War conflict and was stationed on the USS Tarawa (CV/CVA/CVS-40, AVT-12) which was one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during and shortly after World War II for the United States Navy.  The USS Tarawa was decommissioned on March 31, 2009.  On July 7, 1953 Ted received a Letter of “Outstanding Performance of Duty” for operating under adverse conditions of heavy ground swells, the coxswains, bowhooks, sternhooks, and boat engineers operated the motor boats and motor launches for the ship’s liberty parties without a single mishap, although the ground swells at times reached seven feet.  Running the ship’s boats without relief for up to eighteen and one half hours, the members of the boat crews displayed a high degree of perseverance and alertness.  Additionally, on February 7, 1954, Ted received a certificate for crossing south of the equator at 00000 Latitude and 105’ 30’E Longitude and Yokosuka, Japan before being honorably discharged on September 21, 1956.

Ted served the Dover Police before switching careers to the Dover Parking Authority.  In 1959 Ted became a lifelong member, serving 64 years, of the Dover Fire Department, Engine Company #2, later transitioning to Warden, and as Chaplain.  He enjoyed participating in the town parades, providing hot chocolate and donuts to the town residents at Christmas, participating in annual picnics and many more activities.  He was most proud of his service to the fire department and all that it stands for.  Through out the years, the fire department has become family.  Not only does the fire department provide an outstanding service to the community but to each of their members as well.  The support his family has received over the years is met with the utmost gratitude.  His family will be forever grateful.   

Ted is predeceased by his wife of 48 years Martha (Weisbach) Thompson and his oldest son Robert William Thompson. He is survived by his 4 Children, Bethann Thompson of Dingmans Ferry, Pa, Andy and his wife Beth of Stanhope, Cathy and her husband Andy of Mine Hill, John of Dover and Daughter-in-law Tracy Thompson of Ohio. 7 grandchildren, Ashley Guimond, Michael Thompson, Andy Thompson, Brian Thompson, Kayleigh Bachman, Samantha Coffey and Christopher Kallistros.  7 great grandchildren, Ryleigh, Colton, Ava, Mason, Graham, Chase and Hunter.

Visitation:  Wednesday April 5, 2023 from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com).  Followed by a Funeral Service on Thursday at 10:00 AM also at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Locust Hill Cemetery, Dover.  In lieu of flowers, donations my be made in his memory to the Dover Fire Department 37 N Sussex St, Dover, NJ 07801