Green River lost a beloved teacher and state legislator with the passing of Bill Thompson.
Thompson, 80, died Thursday at Mission at Castle Rock Rehabilitation Center. Services took place Wednesday morning. Thompson will be interned at Milburn Cemetery in Fort Bridger.
“I considered Bill my mentor,” Sen. John Hastert (D-Green River) said. “I felt privileged to have served with him.”
Thompson served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 2001 to 2010. Hastert said he learned a lot from Thompson during their time in the legislature together. Hastert described Thomspon as a person willing to fight hard for Wyoming’s residents, not just those in his house district.
“I learned to not just look at the area you represent, but the state as a whole,” Hastert said.
Hastert said he also learned about the tough choices legislators were sometimes forced to make in Cheyenne, as well as the importance of remembering history and the information behind it. Hastert also said he learned the importance of maintaining traditions. Another local legislator who learned the importance of keeping traditions is Rep. Stan Blake (D-Green River).
When Blake started his first term as the representative of House District 39 in 2007, Blake said Thompson made him feel welcome in his new role.
“I didn’t know him before I was elected,” Blake said.
Blake said he also learned a lot from Thompson, saying he learned how to deal with the challenges the legislature can create for legislators. Blake said Thompson also routinely reached across the aisle to work with Republicans.
A tradition Thompson had started in Cheyenne that continues is the singing of “Ragtime Cowboy Joe” on days the University of Wyoming basketball teams host opponents in Laramie. Blake said Thompson often would play the song on his banjo and after learning Blake could sing, recruited him to perform with him. The song is sung by members of the Wyoming House at the end of the day.
“That was a great tradition Bill had,” Blake said. “Everybody liked Bill.”
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