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Wilfred ”Bill” A. Tompkins
03/05/1932 — 05/22/2002
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Fostoria, Michigan
Wilfred ”Bill” A. Tompkins
WILFRED BILL TOMPKINS EINANS FUNERAL HOME Bill Tompkins, 70, of Richland, was born to William and Addie Tompkins on March 5, 1932, at his parents home in Rich Township, Michigan and died Wednesday, May 22, 2002, at Kadlec Medical Center, Richland, Washington.
Bill graduated from high school in Mayville, Michigan in 1951, was drafted into the army in the fall of 1952, and honorably discharged February 1, 1956. He returned from Korea in 1954 and was stationed at Camp Hanford, Washington. In 1955, he met Marguerite Groff and on December 10,1955, they were married.
In August 1956, Bill and his wife moved to Michigan where their 6 children were born. During their time in Michigan, he worked for General Motors, farmed his 80-acre farm, and worked for a concrete contractor. In 1967, the family returned to Richland, Washington where Bill was a concrete contractor. Bill's last job, from which he retired in 1997, was as a School Custodian at Desert Hills Middle School in Kennewick. He always said that was his most satisfying job, because of the great connection he had with the students.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marguerite; children: Pam Jones, Steve & Gloria Tompkins; Cathy & Syd Hall; Teresa & Nick Simeonov; Sandy & Jim Davis; and Linda & Joe Patterson; and the real jewels in his crown, his 27 grandchildren; and 4 almost 6, great grandchildren. He is also survived by 4 brothers and 3 sisters all living in Michigan: Ralph & Patty; Jack & Mildred; Junior & Sharon; and his twin, Wayne & Donna; Florence McNish; Joyce & Eugene Cargill; and Patricia Raymond.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Lawrence and Donald, his sisters, Marian and Donna, and his grandson, Steven Tompkins.
Bill came to know the Lord in March 1997. Because of this, the last years of his life were the best. We loved him and miss him very much but know that we will all be reunited someday because of the promise from God in Romans 10:9, That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in you heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 30, 2002, at Bethel Church, 600 Shockley Rd. corner of Keene and Shockley.
Donations may be made in Bills memory to Liberty Christian or Kingspoint Christian Schools Scholarship Funds.
Bill worked at Desert Hills for a very short period of time, but his impact is still being felt by the staff members. Bill was the hardest working custodian we have ever had at Desert Hills; he set the standard! Even though he retired 5 years ago, staff members are still saying, “When Bill was here . . .” Bill was not only a hard worker, he was a very nice man. The staff members and the kids loved him! He would do anything for anyone and the staff and students would do anything for Bill. He loved his work, he loved the students, and he loved his family. He was always giving us updates on his grandkids, especially when they were at one of our rival schools, Chief Joseph Middle School. He was always ready for a friendly wager when Desert Hills and Chief Jo played each other in sports. We have a no hat rule at Desert Hills-except for Bill. We all liked Bill so much, that he was allowed to wear his baseball cap. When we made the rule, the students defended Bill’s right to wear a hat, even though they had to give theirs up. Bill was looking forward to a fun retirement filled with fishing and grandkids. He had five years of retirement, but deserved so much more. We will continue to miss Bill at Desert Hills and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.
Steve Jones-Principal
To the Tompkins Family,
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your beloved husband and father, Bill. I know what a tremendous loss you must feel, even as you rejoice at his return to his Heavenly Father. I am Norma Jean Pittman Miller’s daughter, and also was in the play “Our Town” with Steve in high school. I had not realized at that time that you were a classmate of my mom’s. I appreciated your writing in to the Sandstorm after mom passed away at the end of April. I don’t know how we managed to get her grad year wrong, but I’m glad you caught that. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.
In Sympathy,
Rhonda Miller Williams
RHS ’78
Marge, So sorry but we know that god is with you and he will help you and the whole family get through this. Take Care and all our love Jack and Mil……..
I had the honor of being BILLS DAD’S 4th born. I feel very lucky that the lord gave me the parents he did. I will miss my father deeply, he is one of a kind! I have always had great respect for Dad. He taught me many importent things for life, I only pray I can live upto the standerds he taught me. I know I will see him again, one day. Until that day he will be missed. I LOVE YOU DADDY
LOVE Teresa
Marge and Family- We are very sorry for your loss. you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss Bill but we’ll remember the nice visits with you both when you came to Michigan.
Take care
Love Scott, Marcy and Family
Bill was the BEST! He was everything you wanted in a close friend. He cared!! He cared about family, students, staff, and even the animals that were in our classrooms. You could count on Bill when you needed someone to count on!
He was great leader and example for those around him. He had the most wonderful “no nonsence” approach to getting things done! He loved life and it showed! He left us a great
legacy! We will all miss his smile and warmth!
With Warm Regards.
Hank Sauer
Desert Hills Asst. Principal
1981-1990
I have always had fond memories of Uncle Bill and will continue to keep everyone in our thoughts.
Love Dan, Cheryl & family.
Bill worked at Desert Hills for a very short period of time, but his impact is still being felt by the staff members. Bill was the hardest working custodian we have ever had at Desert Hills; he set the standard! Even though he retired 5 years ago, staff members are still saying, “When Bill was here . . .” Bill was not only a hard worker, he was a very nice man. The staff members and the kids loved him! He would do anything for anyone and the staff and students would do anything for Bill. He loved his work, he loved the students, and he loved his family. He was always giving us updates on his grandkids, especially when they were at one of our rival schools, Chief Joseph Middle School. He was always ready for a friendly wager when Desert Hills and Chief Jo played each other in sports. We have a no hat rule at Desert Hills-except for Bill. We all liked Bill so much, that he was allowed to wear his baseball cap. When we made the rule, the students defended Bill’s right to wear a hat, even though they had to give theirs up. Bill was looking forward to a fun retirement filled with fishing and grandkids. He had five years of retirement, but deserved so much more. We will continue to miss Bill at Desert Hills and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.
Steve Jones-Principal
To the Tompkins Family,
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your beloved husband and father, Bill. I know what a tremendous loss you must feel, even as you rejoice at his return to his Heavenly Father. I am Norma Jean Pittman Miller’s daughter, and also was in the play “Our Town” with Steve in high school. I had not realized at that time that you were a classmate of my mom’s. I appreciated your writing in to the Sandstorm after mom passed away at the end of April. I don’t know how we managed to get her grad year wrong, but I’m glad you caught that. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.
In Sympathy,
Rhonda Miller Williams
RHS ’78
Marge, So sorry but we know that god is with you and he will help you and the whole family get through this. Take Care and all our love Jack and Mil……..
I had the honor of being BILLS DAD’S 4th born. I feel very lucky that the lord gave me the parents he did. I will miss my father deeply, he is one of a kind! I have always had great respect for Dad. He taught me many importent things for life, I only pray I can live upto the standerds he taught me. I know I will see him again, one day. Until that day he will be missed. I LOVE YOU DADDY
LOVE Teresa
Marge and Family- We are very sorry for your loss. you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss Bill but we’ll remember the nice visits with you both when you came to Michigan.
Take care
Love Scott, Marcy and Family
Bill was the BEST! He was everything you wanted in a close friend. He cared!! He cared about family, students, staff, and even the animals that were in our classrooms. You could count on Bill when you needed someone to count on!
He was great leader and example for those around him. He had the most wonderful “no nonsence” approach to getting things done! He loved life and it showed! He left us a great
legacy! We will all miss his smile and warmth!
With Warm Regards.
Hank Sauer
Desert Hills Asst. Principal
1981-1990
I have always had fond memories of Uncle Bill and will continue to keep everyone in our thoughts.
Love Dan, Cheryl & family.
Marguerite and family:
We just got home from a trip today and saw that your dear husband graduated to his heavenly home. I know of your faith and though you will miss him, some day you will see him again. Oh, what a glorious day when we all will see Jesus along with our family and friends who have already arrived there.
God bless you and your family.
Our prayers are including you/family at this time.
Ivamarie and Bill
Margurite, you and your family are in my prayers. Bill has gone to a better place and our Lord will take care of him, as he will take care of each of us. I am unable to attend the Memorial Service, but will come by the house when I get off that day. God Bless you all, Patti
I’ll miss Bill. I worked with him at Desert Hills. We shared stories about Michigan, as I grew up in Saginaw County. He helped me pick raspberries when I couldn’t eat any more, “To take home to the wife.” He always told great stories and talked about his family. He will always remain special to me for his kindness and his great repore with all the kids over the year that he came in contact with. I am sure that there are many who, he touched their lives and changed their ways for the better.
Thanks for the very fond memories.
Carol Gross
Guestbook for
Wilfred ”Bill” A. Tompkins