William Wilson Thompson Jr.

March 14, 2021

William Wilson Thompson Jr. died in his home on March 14th, 2021. He was 94 years old. Mr. Thompson was born in 1927 in York, Pennsylvania. His parents were William and Agusta (Folcomer) Thompson. He joined the Army Air Corp in 1945 after graduating from York High. William served as flight engineer to General Tate during the reconstruction of Europe following World War II. Upon his return to the USA he married Audrey (Forry) Thompson in 1952. At this time he began a long successful career with General Machine Works in York PA. In 1959 he was elevate to company president and chairman of the board of directors, a position he held for the rest of his career. He retired from General Machine Works in 1992. William continued to pursue his love for flying throughout his life. He served as an officer in the Civil Air Patrol spearheading search and rescue missions throughout the central PA region. Mr. Thompson is survived by his wife Audrey, his children William, Pamela and Bradley, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. William will be buried in a private ceremony on March 19, 2021 at 1:00 PM. Those wishing to attend, please meet at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance by 12:45 PM. A memorial will take place at the grave site at Prospect Hill Cemetery. All are welcome to attend and celebrate William’s life. “He moves not through distance, but through the ranges of satisfaction that come from hauling himself up into the air in complete and utter control; from knowing himself and knowing his airplane so well that he can come somewhere close to touching, in his own special and solitary way, that thing that is called perfection.” Arrangements by the Etzweiler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 1111 East Market Street, York, PA 17403.