Bobby Gill Thompson, Sheffield, died December 26. He was 83.
Bobby Gill was an entrepreneur from the beginning, when he delivered newspapers around Tuscumbia on his mule. He owned Williams Electric Company in Sheffield for more than 30 years until his retirement in 1998. He was also an electrician, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and served on the National Joint Electrical Training Program Board. Bobby Gill served his community as a board member of the Tuscumbia City Schools Board of Education and presided over the school board during integration in the 1960s.
Bobby Gill was an athlete–a Deshler Tiger quarterback, punter, and broad jumper, a 2007 inductee of the Colbert County Sports Hall of Fame, and an avid golfer. He graduated from Deshler in 1950 after returning from serving in the Army National Guard. He led the 1949 Tigers to the Tri-Cities Tennessee Valley Conference Championships and was the first Split-T quarterback in Deshler history. He was named Team Captain of the 1949-1950 squad, first team All Tri-Cities, first team All Tennessee Valley Conference along with All State honorable mention . He held the broad jump record in the Tennessee Valley Conference for six years, and placed third in the 1950 State Meet. He also led the effort to organize Deshler’s first-ever homecoming celebration in 1949. Bobby Gill was a talented golfer, and enjoyed playing every weekend with his friends at Tennessee Valley Country Club, where he once served as club president.
He was a storyteller, jokester, voice of reason, wedding dancer, one-word cusser, sharp business man, leader of the pack, respected colleague, feared opponent, generous gardener, skilled hunter, loyal companion; best all around husband, father, Papa, and friend.
Bobby Gill was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Evie Thompson, and brothers Bill and Charles Thompson.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jo Ann Thompson; his sons, Gill Thompson of Florence and wife Greta; and Kevin “Goose” Thompson of Tuscumbia, and wife Debbie; brothers Carl Thompson of Tuscumbia and wife Dot; and David “Spider” Thompson of Tuscumbia and wife Wanda Jean; and grandchildren A.J. Thompson Zielike of Grand Forks, ND and husband Andrew; Bryant Thompson of Tuscaloosa; Trey Thompson of Floyd, VA and wife Melanie; and Kathryn-Ann Clarke of Nashville, TN and husband Sean; and a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Pallbearers are Bryant Thompson, Trey Thompson, Andrew Zielike, Sean Clarke, Ty Thompson, Jody Thompson, Arkie Smith, and Wiley Mitchell.
Honorary pallbearers are members of Tennessee Valley Country Club.
Visitation is Sunday evening from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia. Funeral service is Monday at 1:00 at First Baptist Church Tuscumbia with the Reverend Rick Oberheide officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Tuscumbia.
