William D. Bill Thompson Sr.‚ 66‚ died on his way to work on June 18‚ 2009‚ from an apparent heart attack. The previous evening‚ he had responded with the department to the scene of an aircraft that had struck a high voltage power line‚ and spent several hours securing the scene.

Bill was born on May 2‚ 1943‚ in Pine Hill‚ New Jersey‚ the son of the late William E. and Betty Larson Thompson. On January 16‚ 1964‚ he married Rita Haedrich. He had been a resident of Bradford County for 25 years.

Bill was a lifetime member and former chief of Lower Southampton Fire Department. He was a member of the New Albany and Dushore Volunteer Fire Companies for approximately 20 years.

He was a self-employed plumber and enjoyed fishing and being in the outdoors.

He is survived by his wife‚ Rita; his six children‚ Rita Thompson‚ William D. Thompson Jr.‚ Stephania Mulhollen‚ Jackie (Scott) Hillyard‚ Matthew Thompson‚ and Danielle (Scott Lamphere) Thompson; four sisters‚ Dot (Charles) Johnson‚ Carol Applegate‚ Gloria (George) Mongillo‚ Kathy (Toby) Horn; and eight grandchildren‚ Christopher and Cheyenne Heinze; Dakota Mulhollen; Austin‚ Anthony‚ and Brienna Gowen; and Trey and Trent Lamphere.