HR1300 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1300 LRB094 20511 HSS 58809 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Lieutenant Colonel William R. Thompson, U.S.A.F (retired), on Saturday, April 15, 2006; and

WHEREAS, William R. "Bill" Thompson was the youngest child born to Rufus William Thompson and Sarah Ellen Fowler Thompson; he attended Schenley High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; he graduated from Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia, in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration; while at Hampton Institute, he completed civilian pilot training and received his pilot's license; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Hampton Institute, he moved to Chicago to participate in the Coffey School of Aeronautics; he met Vera Shane at the Chicago Urban League, where he participated in the League's support of the Coffey School of Aeronautics Program to include African Americans in the U.S. Army Air Corps; Bill and Vera were married on September 21, 1942, and they shared 64 years of marriage; and

WHEREAS, In 1941, Mr. Thompson enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was assigned to Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, as one of six aviation cadets of the 99th Pursuit Squadron that were trained in aircraft armaments, communications, engineering, and maintenance; his specialty was armaments; he trained in flight along with his squadron at Molten Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, training that was referred to as the Tuskegee "Experiment"; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduation from his training, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and assigned to B.O. Davis Jr.'s staff as the Aircraft Armament Officer, helping to form the 99th Fighter Squadron, which became America's first all African-American fighter squadron; the squadron was deployed overseas in World War II, and during that time, he was promoted to Captain; and

WHEREAS, He was honorably discharged from active duty, but continued his service as a member of the United States Air Force Reserves; he continued learning and completed advanced accounting courses at Northwestern University in 1950; he received a teaching certificate from Chicago Teachers College in 1954; he also completed the Academic Instructor program at Air University, Maxwell Air Base, Alabama, for aviation and education; for 25 years, he was a teacher and Master Teacher for the Chicago Public School System, spending most of his years at Donoghue Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, He enjoyed airplanes, renewed his pilot's license, and co-owned a plane; he was a co-founder of the Chicago Chapter of the American Pilot's Association; and

WHEREAS, He retired from the Reserves in 1976, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; he retired from the Chicago Public Schools in 1981; and

WHEREAS, During his retirement, he worked actively to preserve the legacy and mission of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., in many capacities and made many appearances in and outside of the Chicago area sharing his experiences; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Mr. Thompson has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Vera; his sons, William M. (Wendy) and Kenneth (Carolyn); his granddaughter, Brianna; his niece, Wilma J. Sewell; his many grand-nieces, nephews, and their children; and numerous relatives and close friends; he was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Frank Maxwell Thompson, Zelma T. Johnson, and Alma E. Thompson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lieutenant Colonel William R. Thompson, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our sincerest condolences.