William J. Thompson, 84, of Ottumwa, died at 2:42 p.m. January 6, 2026 at Good Samaritan Society – Ottumwa.
He was born March 31, 1941 in Ottumwa to William Andrew and Clara Retherford Thompson. He married Sandra Pearson August 26, 1961 and she preceded him in death May 1, 2019.
A 1959 graduate of Ottumwa High School, Bill worked for H.J. Heinz in Muscatine for 5 years and John Morrell & Co. for 10 years until their closing. He worked 30 years for John Deere Ottumwa Works as a machinist, retiring in 2003.
Bill enjoyed restoring his antique John Deere tractors, working on lawn mowers and building furniture in his workshop. He designed and built part of their 2-story home as well as remodeling inside and outside through the years. Bill enjoyed maintaining their 5 acres by cutting the grass and weed eating. He especially enjoyed feeding the birds, deer hunting with Kent and Steve and processing the meat at home.
Bill started serving the Lord in January, 1978. He drove the Sunday School bus for Bethel United Pentecostal Church, driving all over Ottumwa picking up children and adults while his wife led them in song. In 1997, God moved them to the Apostolic Church in Centerville to help the new pastor, where Bill eventually served as Elder. Bill enjoyed life and especially loved his family, his church family and his God.
Surviving are his children, Debbie (Dan) McClellan Sr. of Ottumwa, Pam (Rev. Jeff) Frase Sr. of Waterloo and Sue (Kent) Kelly of Ottumwa; grandchildren, Amy (Matt) Broxvort of Oskaloosa, Dani (Darrell) Kloster of Knoxville, Daniel (Cari) McClellan Jr. of Leighton, Jeffrey (Brittney) Frase Jr. of Waterloo, Jessica (Chris) Hagedorn of Raymond, Jerrod Frase (Sally Salgado) of Brazil, Kaitlyn Thompson of Oskaloosa and Tyler Thompson of Ottumwa; great-grandchildren, Lidiya, Ean, Conner and Alice McClellan, Austen, Norah and Callan Kloster, Julian Hagedorn and Mavis, Marlow and Marigold Frase.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Steve Thompson; his siblings and their spouses, Irene (Jim) McDowell, Virgil (Florence) Thompson and Everett (Dorothy) Thompson; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Everett and Ella Pearson.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, January 10th at Reece Funeral Home with Rev. Jeremy Croteau, Rev. Jay Allison and his son-in-law, Rev. Jeff Frase officiating. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.
Visitation will be open after 11 a.m. Friday, January 9th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Memorial may be made to Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Centerville.
