William Pettingill Thompson

William Pettingill Thompson, aged 91, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, November 24, 2025. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Peggy Hollowell Thompson, and his cherished daughter, Laura Ellen Thompson, of Winston Salem. Also surviving are four grandchildren and their spouses in whom he had special delight: Hannah (Jon) Peavy, of Winston Salem, Kristen (Kirby) Cooke of Walnut Cove, Joseph (Stephanie) Mathis of Winston Salem, and Benjamin (Uriel) Mathis of Mount Airy. Six great grandchildren whom he dearly loved, also survive: Lillian and Mary Beth Peavy, Ripken and Memphis Cooke, Darcy Mathis, and the sixth, Maisie Mathis, born the same day, just hours before William entered heaven. He is also survived by two beloved brothers, Nathaniel A. Thompson, III of Winston Salem, and Charles S. Thompson of Asheville, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding him in death were his beloved parents, his precious daughter, Elizabeth Ann Thompson Mathis, and his sisters Mary Margaret Montgomery and Lougenia Ruth Gaines.

He is the son of Ethel Mae Crofts and Nathaniel A. Thompson, Jr. and was born in Floyd, VA on December 13, 1933. His father was a long-time pastor in Florida, Virginia, and Tennessee, and a co-founder of Piedmont Bible Institute in 1945 in Winston Salem, where he taught for five years. When William’s mother, Ethel, passed away, Mollie Harris Thompson became his loving step-mother. William was named after William L. Pettingill, his father’s well-known mentor, and one of the editors of the original Scofield Bible.

Commonly known as Bill, he enjoyed serving the Lord in his role of history professor on the faculty of Tennessee Temple College in Chattanooga, TN for three years and on the faculty of Piedmont Baptist College in Winston Salem for 44 years. His preparation for Christian service included study at the Mid-South Bible Institute in Memphis. He earned both his BA and MA degrees in History and English from Memphis State University, followed by a year of study at the Dallas Theological Seminary. He also later earned his MLS degree from UNC-G. Included in his Christian service was his role as minister of music in several area churches. He was raised with music always in his home, and that love of music profoundly impacted him. He was known for his beautiful bass voice, and he and Peggy served together for decades through their wonderful duets. When recently asked what he wanted most, William replied, “That the Lord be glorified in my life.” He has accomplished all that the Lord had purposed for him, and has heard “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Visitation will be at Hayworth Miller Funeral Home on Silas Creek Parkway in Winston Salem on Monday, December 1 from 6-8 PM. The funeral will be at the same location Tuesday, December 2 at 12 PM, with the graveside service following at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, 1821 Ashley Loop, Reidsville, NC 27320 at 3 PM.

The family of William Thompson wishes to thank Trellis for their wonderful support in the final week of his life.

Contributions can be made in memory of William to Bible Open Air Mission (BOAM), PO Box 398, Fanwood, NJ 07023 or by visiting www.boam.org