[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18337]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF DR. WILLIAM WEST THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 9, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life and dedicated service of Northwest Florida's beloved Dr. William 
West Thompson, who passed away on December 2, 2013. Throughout his long 
and distinguished career in medicine and public service, Dr. Thompson 
served as an inspiration to countless individuals and left a lasting 
impression on the Okaloosa County, Florida community. All those who 
have been blessed by his presence mourn the loss of a great man and 
unparalleled public servant.
  Dr. Thompson, or ``Dr. T'' as he was fondly known, was born on April 
6, 1921, in Hallsboro, North Carolina. Upon receiving his degrees from 
both Duke University and the Duke University School of Medicine in 1942 
and 1947 respectively, he completed his medical training and residency 
at facilities across the country, including in New Jersey, Texas, 
Massachusetts, and Arkansas. Dr. T also served proudly in the United 
States Army for more than ten years in the Army Medical Corps rising to 
the level of Chief of a Pediatrics Unit.
  In 1957, after practicing in Virginia for two years, he moved to Fort 
Walton Beach, Florida, where he continued practicing pediatrics. It was 
in Northwest Florida where Dr. T would spend the next decades of his 
life continuing to serve others in the community. Whether it was 
through house calls, late night hospital rounds, or nights spent with 
ailing patients, Dr. T's commitment to bettering the lives of those 
around him never wavered and was evidenced through his kindness and the 
unmatched quality of care he provided to his patients.
  Dr. T also lent his time and efforts to a myriad of medical 
associations, including the Florida Medical Association, where he 
served as both as Chairman and Vice President; Okaloosa County Medical 
Society, where he served as the organization's first president; and 
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, where he served as President and 
Chief of Pediatrics.
  In addition to his dedicated service and passion in the medical 
field, Dr. T was highly involved in public service. He served not only 
as the team physician for local junior high and high schools, but also 
was president of the Chamber of Commerce from 1967 to 1968 and a member 
of the Okaloosa County School Board from 1984-1989. However, many 
remember him for his leadership as Mayor of Fort Walton Beach from 1965 
to 1966.
  Throughout his life, Dr. T served his Nation and community with the 
utmost integrity and humility. He was truly a man of compassion who 
possessed a passion for serving others. He will be remembered as a 
dedicated public official, wonderful physician, and a loving husband, 
father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-
great-grandfather. His contributions to Northwest Florida and our 
Nation were truly exceptional and his legacy will not be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged 
to honor the exemplary life of Dr. William Thompson. My wife Vicki 
joins me in our sincerest condolences and our prayers go out to his 
wife, Melba; son, Wes; daughters, Emilie, Helga, Kenya, Rhonda, and 
Karen; nephew, Roger; grandchildren, Robert, Britt, Kyle, Alex, Renee, 
Michael, Ryan, Kelly, Kaylyn, Avery, and Aspen; great-grandchildren, 
Katherine, Amber, Alexander, Zachary, Hunter, and Kai; great-great 
grandson Orion; sister, Hilda, and the entire Thompson family and 
friends. He will truly be missed by all.

                          ____________________