William Thompson Obituary

North Augusta, SC – Funeral Services for William Dowling "Dowl" Thompson, 78, who was called to be with the Lord on May 16, 2025, will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Posey Funeral Chapel, Rev. Keith Stewart officiating. Interment will follow in Pineview Memorial Gardens with Veteran Honors rendered by members of the Richland County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday evening from 5 until 7. Mr. Thompson was born February 12, 1947, in Augusta, GA to the late Lester and Evelyn Thompson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, William Dowling "Dowl" Thompson, Jr., his brother, David Thompson. He lived in numerous other cities with life eventually bringing him back to his hometown of North Augusta, SC. Dowl attended Union High School from 1962 to 1965 and transferred to Wade Hampton High School his senior year and graduated from Wade Hampton High School in 1965. He played high school football at Union High School as offense and defensive ends and excelled as a defensive end. Dowl continued his education and athletics at Presbyterian College. He graduated from PC with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1969. He was offered a football scholarship as a defensive end where he excelled and was awarded all-conference. He also ran track at PC where he lettered in track and field. He later received his Master of Education degree from the University of South Carolina and later received another master's degree in education administration. He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant through the College ROTC Program and began is training as a military police officer. He had tours of duty which included Fort Gordon, Georgia and Fort Lewis, Washington. After active duty in the U.S Army, Dowl continued to serve in the National Guard as an officer for 33 years of total military service and ended his military service as an Honorary Colonel in April 2007. He received numerous meritorious medals and awards of honor. He attended Baptist and Presbyterian churches in the areas where he lived. Dowl served numerous years as a deputy sheriff in Greenville and Richland counties. He met his calling because he loved his work, his friends and responsibilities. He enjoyed Richland County sheriff work so much that he recently retired as a voluntary cold case homicide investigator. The second area of his career was in education and consisted of teaching and being an assistant football coach at North Augusta High School and then bus shop supervisor in Aiken and Clarendon counties. He continued his educational career as a Principal of Jonesville High School and then Union High School. He loved his wife, Gail, along with his children and grandchildren. Throughout his life, he enjoyed his time with his horses and his farm, playing golf with his friends and brothers, Clemson football and tending to his chickens. Survivors include his wife, Gail A. Thompson; four daughters, Wendi Graham (David), Jenny Thompson, Amanda Parkins (Marty), and Lauren Pannell (Bobby); eight grandchildren, Josh Graham, Zach Graham, Olivia Carver, Noah Parkins, Will Pannell, Ben Pannell, Sam Pannell, and Jake Pannell; one great-granddaughter, Aubrey Kate Allen; three brothers, John Thompson (Nan), Wayne Thompson (Sally), and Paul Thompson (Daphne). Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Richland County Sheriff's Department. Active Pallbearers will be Larry Gainey, Dave McRoberts, Al Moore, Herman Thompson, Don Quigley, James D. Abbott, Bobby Pannell and Will Pannell. Memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org or Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org