William Michael Thompson, Jr.

William Michael Thompson, Jr. “Mike”, 78, of Atlanta passed away peacefully at home on August 20, 2016 after a brave struggle with cancer.

Born on April 24, 1938 in Barranquilla, Colombia to William Michael Thompson, Sr. and Esther Skarvi Thompson, Mike also spent parts of his childhood in Hawaii, California, Bogota, Colombia, New Jersey, and Augusta, GA. He attended the Hill School, Darlington School and graduated from the University of North Carolina, where he was a letterman and a co-captain on the soccer team. He remained a lifelong Tar Heel fan and an avid supporter of the soccer program.

Mike met his wife Ray in 1960 on a blind date and reconnected with her in New York City where he started his career as a stockbroker. They married in 1964 and settled in Atlanta in 1966. After working for several regional investment firms, he started a hedge fund in Atlanta and managed it for many years.

Mike enjoyed the company of others but was also at home with himself. Places that were important to him included All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Capital City Club. His love of travel inspired a trip around the world for his honeymoon and later many other destinations, including several trips to his favorite spots of New Zealand and Argentina. He was quick to strike up a conversation with a stranger and was a friend to all. He got a kick out of engaging the unsuspecting in the language of his youth, Spanish.

Those who knew him can no doubt share at least one amusing story that attests to his eccentricities. He claimed to have been “the best U.S. bull fighter” of taxi cabs in NYC in the early 1960’s and to have attended 50 straight Masters golf tournaments and/or practice rounds. He also earned the nickname “Tickets Thompson” as he relished scoring tickets to different sporting events.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Ray Henley Thompson, his children, Will Thompson and his partner Jack Vincent Los Angeles, Jim Thompson Richmond, VA, and Evie Thompson Brown, her husband Bates Brown, and two grandchildren Harrison and Thompson Brown New York, NY, in-laws Sally & Bill Henley and family Greenville, SC, and canine travel and dining companion, Barley.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 26 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 immediately followed by a reception in the church parish hall.

The family would like to express gratitude for all who have been supportive in his final weeks, especially caregivers Jasmine Brown, Johnny Daniels, Jocelyn Hicks, Scottie Stewart, and DeJon Williams as well as Amanda Robinson and Susan Sandler from Weinstein Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Two Tailz Rescue, P.O. Box 768400, Roswell, GA 30076, or Weinstein Hospice, 3150 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30327.