Lionel Harvey Thompson, known as Bill from early childhood, was born in Bournemouth on June 21st, 1940. His mother Kathleen, tells a story of glass shattering into his cot in the early stages of the 2nd World War, and when Bill was just a baby the family moved to Friday Street, Abinger, to live with his grandparents. Here, in the Surrey Hills that Bill enjoyed throughout his life, he had a happy childhood and made a number of lifelong friends.
After leaving school Bill was an apprentice carpenter, although he didn’t enjoy this he learnt many useful skills he would call upon in his career as a talented home DIY-er.
Bill met Bridget, in The Abinger Arms, in 1962 on a day he described as the luckiest of his life; they married in September 1963 in Northchapel, and after the arrival of a daughter, Julie, in 1964, they left Abinger and moved to Hart Road, Dorking, where son Anthony was born in 1965.
Bill's favourite job was working as a Bus Driver which he did locally for over 30 years. After the Dorking Bus Station was closed down he continued driving for another 20 years as a self-employed taxi driver, consequently Bill’s was a very familiar, and friendly, face that was recognised by many in the Dorking area. Bill really enjoyed a chat, so a trip down the High Street or local shop in North Holmwood (to where Bill and Bridget moved in 1992) could sometimes be a lengthy trip!
Bill and Bridget had 6 adoring grandchildren, Emily, Liam, Ami, James, Chloe and Harry, and were great grandparents to Mackenzie, William, Harvey, Lawrence and Thomas. After Julie moved to New Zealand, Bill and Bridget visited 13 times, lastly when Bill gave away Emily at her wedding.
He was married for 51 years to his beloved Bridget, enjoying 7 too-short retirement years together, in what Bill described as the best holiday ever, spending their time holidaying all over England, visiting friends and relatives, growing vegetables and enjoying their garden and time together.
Anthony Thompson
27/03/2022
