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William F. "Buzz" Thompson III, age 87, formerly of Honolulu, Hawaii, passed away in Plymouth, MA on August 24, 2018. He was the beloved husband of Geraldine "Gerry" Fritz Thompson, cherished father of William (Kim), Joseph (Beverly), David (Rhonda), Matthew (Erin), Michael (Anna) and grandfather to 9 grandchildren. He was recently predeceased by his beloved sisters, Helen Ladd Thompson of Honolulu, Hawaii and Frances Lynch (Hal) of Jacksonville, Florida. Buzz was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on October 6, 1930 to parents William F. Thompson Jr. and Helen Niaukololani Antoinette Rosa. William Jr. served as Chief Clerk of the Federal District Court in Honolulu. Helen Rosa was the daughter of Judge Antone Rosa, Attorney General for King Kalakaua and was also the great-granddaughter of William Ladd, co-founder of the first commercial sugar plantation in Hawaii at Koloa, Kauai, in 1835. He was a member of the Outrigger Canoe Club for 73 years and a proud alumnus of Punahou School, where he was a student from kindergarten until graduation in 1949. During his high school years, he was elected student body president, was a member of the football, basketball and track teams and also participated in ROTC and Drama. In 1950, upon completing his first year at Duke University, where he was elected freshman class president, he was invited by President Harry S. Truman to participate in the meeting of the Midcentury White House Conference on Children and Youth in Washington, DC. He later went on to complete his undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii before earning his Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt Law School in 1959. Upon his return to Honolulu, he enjoyed a long and successful career as a prominent immigration attorney. He was a tireless champion for the legal rights of his clients and was always quick to mentor and share his wealth of knowledge with his fellow attorneys. In 2001, he and Gerry retired to Plymouth where they enjoyed hosting and visiting their family and friends. Buzz and Gerry recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in February. A Memorial service will take place in Honolulu at Oahu Cemetery at a date to be named later. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations in Buzz's name be made to the Alzheimer's Association, National Headquarters, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, www.alz.org. For more information or to sign the online guestbook please, visit www.cartmelldavis.com.
William F. "Buzz" Thompson III, age 87, formerly of Honolulu, Hawaii, passed away in Plymouth, MA on August 24, 2018. He was the beloved husband of Geraldine "Gerry" Fritz Thompson, cherished father of William (Kim), Joseph (Beverly), David (Rhonda), Matthew (Erin), Michael (Anna) and grandfather to 9 grandchildren. He was recently predeceased by his beloved sisters, Helen Ladd Thompson of Honolulu, Hawaii and Frances Lynch (Hal) of Jacksonville, Florida. Buzz was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on October 6, 1930 to parents William F. Thompson Jr. and Helen Niaukololani Antoinette Rosa. William Jr. served as Chief Clerk of the Federal District Court in Honolulu. Helen Rosa was the daughter of Judge Antone Rosa, Attorney General for King Kalakaua and was also the great-granddaughter of William Ladd, co-founder of the first commercial sugar plantation in Hawaii at Koloa, Kauai, in 1835. He was a member of the Outrigger Canoe Club for 73 years and a proud alumnus of Punahou School, where he was a student from kindergarten until graduation in 1949. During his high school years, he was elected student body president, was a member of the football, basketball and track teams and also participated in ROTC and Drama. In 1950, upon completing his first year at Duke University, where he was elected freshman class president, he was invited by President Harry S. Truman to participate in the meeting of the Midcentury White House Conference on Children and Youth in Washington, DC. He later went on to complete his undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii before earning his Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt Law School in 1959. Upon his return to Honolulu, he enjoyed a long and successful career as a prominent immigration attorney. He was a tireless champion for the legal rights of his clients and was always quick to mentor and share his wealth of knowledge with his fellow attorneys. In 2001, he and Gerry retired to Plymouth where they enjoyed hosting and visiting their family and friends. Buzz and Gerry recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in February. A Memorial service will take place in Honolulu at Oahu Cemetery at a date to be named later. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations in Buzz's name be made to the Alzheimer's Association, National Headquarters, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, www.alz.org. For more information or to sign the online guestbook please, visit www.cartmelldavis.com.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
