William “Little Billy” Thompson Jr.

Posted on March 28, 2018

William “Little Billy” Thompson Jr., 45, died March 22, 2018, at Shand’s Hospital in Gainsville with his son, Derek, his dad, “Big” Billy and Samantha, his mom, Brenda, and family by his side, knowing he was dearly loved. He was born Dec. 22, 1972, in Orlando.

Billy loved anything to do with water, whether salt or freshwater. He loved fishing, wake boarding, boating on the Suwannee River with his dad, grilling for all of his friends and regaling them with his tall tales. Billy never met a stranger; he made friends wherever he was, including most recently the nursing staff at Shand’s. He adored his son Derek and devoted his life to him. Billy had a heart of gold, often opening his home to his son Derek’s friends and considered them to be his own boys. He became their father figure and they affectionately referred to him as “Pops.”

Billy is survived by: his son, Derek Thompson of Perry; his dad, Billy (Samantha) Thompson and his mom, Brenda (Richard) Marable, both of Old Town; his gramma, Polly Kincaid of Perry; his mother, Donna Lassiter of Altamonte Springs; his five sisters, Trisha (Gator) Sadler of Perry, Cindy (Jonathan) Gluhan of Sanford, Gale (Gavin) Jones of Altamonte Springs, Jiyla and Nina, both of Old Town; one brother, Dequadrik; his aunt, Betty (Glenn) Ratliff of Perry; his uncle, Troy (Wanda) Thompson of Perry; his aunt, Linda (Terry) May of Altamonte Springs; his three “adopted” sons Justin Becerra, Calub Murphy and Darick Ward, all of Perry; and his best friend, Brad Hatcher of Perry; as well as a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held today (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. at Burns Funeral Home of Perry with Sammy Agner and Billy’s Uncle Dennis Register officiating. Interment services will follow immediately afterwards in Pineview Memorial Cemetery. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, at Burns Funeral Home of Perry. All arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Perry.

Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com