William H. Thomsen, Jr. age 79, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 10, 2025, with his loving wife, Gaye, by his side. Bill was born on March 7, 1946, in Wayne County, MI to William Howard, Sr and Lila Amanda Thomsen. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Royal Oak, MI and then from Cleary Business College in Ypsilanti, MI while working for N. A. Woodworth Co. In 1972, he moved to Erin, TN to work at Southern Gage Company, a subsidiary of N.A. Woodworth Co, where he excelled and was General Manager of the company. He continued to lead the company when it was sold to Chicago Tools Works. He left the company in 1993 and was employed at Ekco Glaco, Inc in Humboldt, TN until 1999. From 1999-2004 Bill worked for Dairy Partners in Decherd, TN and then moved to Springfield, TN to work for Datrek Golf Company. He completed his work career at MTR Tire Company in Nashville, TN.
William is preceded in death by his parents, William Howard, Sr and Lila Amanda Thomsen; grandchild, Megan Peterson; and newborn child, baby Thomsen.
Bill is survived by Gaye Thomsen, his loving wife of 39 years; sons, Edward Alan (Beth) Thomsen and Brian Lawrence (Sarah) Thomsen; stepsons, Marcus Clay (Jean) Batten; Michael Andrew (Bridgette) Batten, and Steven Lee (Denise) Batten; grandchildren, Kyle, Zachary, Spencer, Brandon, and Brittany Thomsen; Paige Ferino; Cody, Colton, Wyatt, Cato, and Jax Batten; Chelsea Knopp, Jessica Watson, Rossi Morgan, and Charlie Hubbard; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Bill was passionate about his God! He and Gaye actively served the Lord wherever they lived. They attended First Baptist Church (Clarksville, TN); West Jackson Baptist (Jackson, TN), Grace Baptist Church (Tullahoma, TN) and Springfield Baptist Church (Springfield, TN) where Bill was a deacon. Bill served on many committees across the different churches they attended. Bill was a member of The Gideons International.
Bill was also passionate about golf. He was a long-time member of the United States Golf Association (USGA). Bill golfed as often as he could and was most proud of his two Hole-In-One awards. Bill’s other passion was his family who he loved unconditionally. Bill and Gaye enjoyed traveling around the world and especially spending their winter months in Orange Beach, AL where they made many friends from all over the country. Bill was such an outgoing, loving people-person with an incredibly positive outlook on life.
A Celebration of Life service for Bill will be held at Springfield Baptist Church at 2:00 pm Sunday, August 17, 2025 with Bob Hogan officiating. Bill will be laid to rest at Standing Rock Creek Cemetery in Dover, TN.
In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to The Gideons International at https://gideons.org/donate.
Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements.
