William Joseph “Bill” Thompson

Painted Post- William Joseph “Bill” Thompson, age 84, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and loved ones, on Monday, July 27, 2026.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Sunday, August, 9 from 3 – 6 p.m. at the Corning American Legion, 8 River Rd., South Corning, NY 14830.

Bill was born on March 9, 1942 in Bath, NY. The eldest son of the late William and Selma (Bern) Thompson, Bill was a graduate of Avon High School,  where he lettered in Tennis, Football, Baseball and Basketball. On the baseball team,  he played shortstop; baseball remained important to him throughout his life. During one of his final rallies at home he showed his great-granddaughter, Evelynn, how to properly hold and grip a baseball. Bill paid his own way through college at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he studied engineering. Bill spent his adult life dutifully working for Corning Incorporated for 45 years in Corning, NY.

Bill was a quiet, dependable, hardworking man. He valued his time with his family and always hosted them at his home in Painted Post with his wife Fernande for every holiday gathering. Bill was also an avid outdoorsman and had an 8-point buck he harvested hanging on his wall. He equally enjoyed golfing, participating in annual tournaments down south with friends. Bill was a member of the Corning Elks, Corning American Legion, Corning VFW, Corning Moose Lodge and the Glen Regional Corvette Club. Bill’s Corvettes were his pride and joy. Bill and Fern drove all over the northeast with the Corvette Club, especially in his retirement years. Every few years, Bill would buy a different Corvette, his last one being a brand new red Corvette from Elm Chevy in 2014.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, his brother Dan Thompson, and grandson, Curtis Boyce. Bill is survived by his wife, Fernande Weiland Thompson; step-children, Audrey Nelson, Nancy Miller, Shirley Jacobus and Brian (Tina) Nelson; 8 grandchildren: Jacqueline, Erik, and Emily Miller; Nathan and Shannon Jacobus; Jeremy, Joseph, and James Nelson. Bill also had several great-grandchildren, including 3 close great-grandchildren, Evelynn, Amelia and Maverick Miller. Bill is also survived by siblings Kathy Korse, Julie (James) Muir and Richard (Marybeth) Thompson; as well as nieces and nephews.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank Bill’s nurse, Karin, for all of her help and care she gave during Bill’s final months, as well as his grandson, Erik Miller. Erik spent months driving Bill & Fern to all their clubs and doctor’s appointments when Bill could still get around, but couldn’t drive his car anymore, and then later when his health was declining, drove Bill to all his medical appointments and sat by his side in the hospital, rehab clinic, and at his home during his last weeks of hospice care up until, and including being by Bill’s side during his peaceful passing.

Please visit www.perkinsamesfuneralhome.com to send a message of condolence to Bill’s family.