William Thomson

November 12, 2019

William Thomson

Service Details

William Arthur Thomson "Bill" died unexpectedly on his 73rd birthday. Bill was born to Ruth (Swanson) and David Thomson on November 11, 1946 in Burlington, Iowa. Bill was the oldest of 3 boys who grew up spending their summers fishing in Minnesota where he developed a lifelong love of fishing. Bill graduated from East High School in Des Moines in 1964. He was a member of the Army National Guard and served in the military police. Bill married Agnes Maras in 1971 and together they raised 4 daughters, much to his chagrin, he wanted all boys! Over the years Bill worked in many aspects of the construction industry from his start at Cap Homes, writing a book on how to build a house, to owning his own construction business and later working as a lumber estimator.

Bill spent his retirement enjoying time with his buddies and watching his grandkids grow up. He was an avid Hawkeye fan. His girls especially enjoyed going up to watch Hawkeye football with him on Saturdays and enjoying a few Natty Lights with him. Sometimes the grandkids got to go too and have Shirley Temples and popcorn. Recently Bill enjoyed going on chartered fishing trips on Lake Michigan with his buddies. His daughters would like to thank all of his buddies for the years of early morning visits, coffee and breakfast, beers, texts, emails, laughs, and most of all their friendship.

Left to remember him are his daughters: Jackie (Jim) Barkmeier of Champaign, Illinois; Jen (Tim) Morgan of Runnells, Iowa; Jeri Thomson of Altoona, Iowa; and Julie (Johan) Sander of Altoona, Iowa. We will miss our everyday morning emails from him letting us know what the weather was and knowing his plans for the day. Also to remember his are his grandchildren: Mason, Lila, George, and Louise, and his brother Kurt Thomson of Stillwater, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and David Thomson, and his brother Robert Thomson.

A visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday, November 18th, with a funeral service from 11 a.m. to noon at Hamilton's Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. A graveside burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery with a luncheon immediately after at the Elks Lodge in Pleasant Hill.

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