William Ernest Thompson

William Ernest Thompson, also known as Bill, Red and Barnacle Bill,
passed in the wee hours of Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Born on September 7, 1928, Bill was raised in various areas on Vancouver Island, including a house-boat in Youbou and a farm in Wellington. As a commercial fisherman, he met Marjorie (nee-Errington) while living on Gabriola Island. In 1953 they married in Burnaby where they settled, started a family, and Bill began his plumbing carreer. Being charitable with his time, his urge to contribute led to frequent coaching and volunteering. He filled roles where needed for a wide range of clubs and organizations in all the communities they resided in from Burnaby to Beaver Cove and from the Comox Valley to Cordova Bay in Victoria. He insisted on being near the sea, as it seemingly pulsed in his blood. Bill's father, Ernest, was a Merchant Marine.

An avid sportsman himself, he was continually and passionately involved in coaching and managing the teams of his sons and grandchildren. This included baseball, soccer, curling, hockey, football and fastball in Burnaby South, Comox, Saanich and later Cordova Bay. He also relished in his many executive roles with service clubs – notably as the Grand Exalted Ruler at Elk's Lodge #1, a Lions Club Zone Chairperson, and a Timmy's Springtime Telethon Chairperson.

A plumber-pipefitter by trade, he rose to become the Deputy Maintenance Supervisor for the entire main UBC campus in Vancouver, before moving into tourism as a small resort owner/operator at Kye Bay in the Comox Valley, while operating his own plumbing business. Bill later retired as the Contract Supervisor at CFB Esquimalt.

Bill was the definition of a 'people person'. Known as 'Red', as his fiery red hair made him stand out in the crowd. Perhaps this is what allowed him to entertain so many, so easily. Always with a big smile and welcoming handshake, he exuded warmth and compassion. In retirement, snow birding and cruising led to many lifelong friendships, while always entertaining and often performing on stage when available. He also loved to walk the beach in Cordova Bay becoming a fixture, chatting with friends and visitors alike. The communities he resided in were better served by his presence.

When we were old enough to walk, it seemed we were always on the ball field, the soccer field, at the hockey rink, or curling rink often at 6am before school. He taught and instilled in all of us the beauty of team sport and the comradery of sportsmanship..
and then he'd go kick dirt on the umpire.

Bill is survived by Marjorie (passed away on April 27, 2023), loving wife of 69 years, his three sons Robert(Mylisa), Allan and Russell(Audrey), his grandchildren Bronwynn(Ian) and Reece(Maddy) and great-grandchild Lily.

To visit Marjorie's Tribute Page, please click here .

The family is planning a shared service for both Bill and Marj on Gabriola Island, June 17, 2023.

If interested, please contact Russ Thompson at russthompson@shaw.ca or 250-881-5978.