Walker L. “Tommy” Thompson 1917-2005

Walker L. “Tommy” Thompson, age 87, of Ashland, died on Feb.5, 2005, in King’s Daughters Medical Center. Mr. Thompson was born Dec.7, 1917, in Larue County, a son of the late Eddie and Bessie Thompson. He came to the Ashland area in 1950 from Sonora, Ky., and established a satellite company for Liquid Transportation Inc., a trucking company of Louisville, Ky. He served for 13 years as vice president and terminal manager. In 1963, he left Liquid Transporters and started his own company, Boyd Service Inc. At the time, he was a pioneer in the LP gas industry in the repairs of pressure vessels and his business spanned most of the nation. He was active for many years in the trucking and LP gas industry and was a member of the National LP Gas Technology and Standards Committee for 20 years. He retired in 1988. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ashland and a former member of the Ashland Rotary Club, MAC Travel Club and Bellefonte County Club and was a board member of Kentucky Farmers Bank. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the Navy as chief quartermaster for four years. He was stationed mostly in the Pacific. Surviving are his wife, Geraldine “Gerri” Thompson; a special niece, Grettle Smith; and three great-nieces: Lisa Taylor, Wendy Todd and Penny Byrd. He also leaves his protégé, Dennis Klattenberg of Ashland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Helen Tharpe of Louisville, Ky. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb.7, 2005, at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland. The body will then be escorted by Manakee Funeral Home of Elizabethtown, Ky., where there will be a graveside service at 3.p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, in Elizabeth Memorial Gardens. Friends may call an hour before burial at the Manakee Funeral Home.

Source: Daily Independent Ashland, Ky., Sunday, February 6, 2005