FORMER WEST TYRONE UNIONIST MP REMEMBERED AS A MAN OF SOUND CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES
Former West Tyrone Unionist MP remembered as man of 'sound Christian principles'
by Jonathan Rainey
WARM tributes have been paid this week to former West Tyrone MP, William Thompson, who died at the weekend after an illness.
Mr Thompson, who had lived in the Donaghanie Road area between Omagh and Beragh, passed away peacefully in hospital on Sunday. He was 71.
Remembered as a man of 'sound Christian principles', the Ulster Unionist stalwart served as the first MP for the newly-created parliamentary constituency of West Tyrone between 1997 and 2001. He had previously represented Mid-Ulster in power-sharing institutions at Stormont in the early 1970s and 1980s, and also sat on Omagh District Council for three terms from 1981 to 1993.
Away from politics, Mr Thompson helped to run Donaghanie Post Office with his wife, Violet, for many years. He also had his own business, selling and repairing TVs.
A dedicated member and trustee of Omagh Methodist Church, he was well-known in the area for his skilled work as a lay preacher and pastoral visitor. The committed Christian had also attended the Tullyrush Prayer Union of the Faith Mission for over 50 years.
Never afraid to stand up for what he believed in, Mr Thompson also served as one of two assistant grand masters of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland between 2004 and 2007.
A large crowd, which included prominent politicians from across Northern Ireland, attended the Beragh man's funeral in Omagh Methodist Church yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, with the church's minister, Rev John Sweeney, officiating. Interment followed in Cappagh Parish churchyard.
During the funeral service, a short tribute was paid to the deceased by George Conn, the Faith Mission
Superintendent for the West Irish District.
Speaking to the Tyrone Constitution on Monday, Mr Conn recalled how Mr Thompson, who had attended Faith Mission prayer unions since 1955, was a skilled preacher who had spoken for him at a number of meetings. He was also involved in a variety of the organisation's activities, including conventions, conferences and rallies.
The superintendent added that the deceased had a particular interest in spiritual revival, and that Mr Thompson and his wife were among the first people to enrol for a bus trip around revival sites in Northern Ireland last year.
Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader, Tom Elliott, who attended yesterday's funeral, said he had been "deeply saddened" to learn of Mr Thompson's death.
"Willie was a long standing Ulster Unionist and was involved with the party for many years and in many crusades," Mr Elliott said.
"He was quite a character and was never scared to say exactly what he thought - he was a real straight talker.
"He was a man of his word. He was always very keen to ensure that the people he represented got the best of things," the UUP leader said.
"Willie will be sadly missed by all in the party and the people of West Tyrone have lost a true advocate," he added.
Northern Ireland's First Minister, the DUP's Peter Robinson, described Mr
Thompson as a "principled unionist" who stood up for his firm beliefs.
"During his time as a Member of Parliament I worked closely with William and always found him to be hardworking, honest and a faithful and diligent constituency representative. William gave the people of West Tyrone a voice in parliament.
"His passing is a blow for his friends and family," Mr Robinson said.
The Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Robert Saulters, said that the former West Tyrone MP had been a "dedicated Orangeman" who worked very hard for the institution.
"He took a particular interest in parading issues and was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in.
"I appointed him as one of my two assistant grand masters from 2004 to 2007 and I was honoured to have his support. He was a man of great principle and someone I trusted entirely," Mr Saulters said.
Omagh district councillor, Allan Rainey, who is the current chairman of the West Tyrone Association of the UUP, said he had been "very privileged" to have known and worked with a lifelong friend over the years.
"He has left a lasting example that many would love to imitate. I know for many of us, we will note the absence from his involvement in his church, his lodge and the numerous other empty chairs.
"I am very privileged to have known and worked with William over the years and, on behalf of the West Tyrone Association of the Ulster Unionist Party, we send our sympathy and heartfelt condolences to his wife and family circle at this very sad time," Mr Rainey said.
Fellow Omagh district councillor, Ross Hussey (UUP) said that Mr Thompson had not been expected to win the West Tyrone seat in 1997.
"But an excellent performance on the ground and a split nationalist vote allowed him to claim the seat," Mr Hussey said.
"He was of course MP when the town of Omagh was devastated by the infamous terrorist attack that led to the death of 29 people and two unborn twins. This drained him emotionally and physically as he knew many of the families personally. On losing his seat, he remained an active member of the party only stepping back in recent years.
"He handled his illness with fortitude," Mr Hussey added.
Bert Wilson, UUP, who represents the Mid Tyrone area on Omagh District Council, remembered the Beragh man as an "honest, upright, Christian gentleman". Mr Wilson praised his role in helping secure funding for renovation work at Donaghanie Orange Hall, and also recalled hearing his preaching.
"I'm a member of Fintona Presbyterian Church, and Willie would've helped us out whenever we had a vacancy. I always looked forward to hearing what he had to say," he said.
Local DUP councillor, Charlie Chittick, described Mr Thompson's passing as a "great loss" to society as a whole.
"I'm a great believer in giving credit where credit is due. William served this country well when he represented this constituency. Across the whole of the political spectrum, I would be surprised if anyone had a bad word to say about him.
"For me, it is a great loss to his wife and family and my thoughts and prayers are with them. I would like to acknowledge a gentleman, both inside and outside of politics, who called it as he saw it," Mr Chittick said.
Mr Thompson is survived by his wife, Violet, children, Wilma, Elaine and Paul, and the wider family circle
by Jonathan Rainey
WARM tributes have been paid this week to former West Tyrone MP, William Thompson, who died at the weekend after an illness.
Mr Thompson, who had lived in the Donaghanie Road area between Omagh and Beragh, passed away peacefully in hospital on Sunday. He was 71.
Remembered as a man of 'sound Christian principles', the Ulster Unionist stalwart served as the first MP for the newly-created parliamentary constituency of West Tyrone between 1997 and 2001. He had previously represented Mid-Ulster in power-sharing institutions at Stormont in the early 1970s and 1980s, and also sat on Omagh District Council for three terms from 1981 to 1993.
Away from politics, Mr Thompson helped to run Donaghanie Post Office with his wife, Violet, for many years. He also had his own business, selling and repairing TVs.
A dedicated member and trustee of Omagh Methodist Church, he was well-known in the area for his skilled work as a lay preacher and pastoral visitor. The committed Christian had also attended the Tullyrush Prayer Union of the Faith Mission for over 50 years.
Never afraid to stand up for what he believed in, Mr Thompson also served as one of two assistant grand masters of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland between 2004 and 2007.
A large crowd, which included prominent politicians from across Northern Ireland, attended the Beragh man's funeral in Omagh Methodist Church yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, with the church's minister, Rev John Sweeney, officiating. Interment followed in Cappagh Parish churchyard.
During the funeral service, a short tribute was paid to the deceased by George Conn, the Faith Mission
Superintendent for the West Irish District.
Speaking to the Tyrone Constitution on Monday, Mr Conn recalled how Mr Thompson, who had attended Faith Mission prayer unions since 1955, was a skilled preacher who had spoken for him at a number of meetings. He was also involved in a variety of the organisation's activities, including conventions, conferences and rallies.
The superintendent added that the deceased had a particular interest in spiritual revival, and that Mr Thompson and his wife were among the first people to enrol for a bus trip around revival sites in Northern Ireland last year.
Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader, Tom Elliott, who attended yesterday's funeral, said he had been "deeply saddened" to learn of Mr Thompson's death.
"Willie was a long standing Ulster Unionist and was involved with the party for many years and in many crusades," Mr Elliott said.
"He was quite a character and was never scared to say exactly what he thought - he was a real straight talker.
"He was a man of his word. He was always very keen to ensure that the people he represented got the best of things," the UUP leader said.
"Willie will be sadly missed by all in the party and the people of West Tyrone have lost a true advocate," he added.
Northern Ireland's First Minister, the DUP's Peter Robinson, described Mr
Thompson as a "principled unionist" who stood up for his firm beliefs.
"During his time as a Member of Parliament I worked closely with William and always found him to be hardworking, honest and a faithful and diligent constituency representative. William gave the people of West Tyrone a voice in parliament.
"His passing is a blow for his friends and family," Mr Robinson said.
The Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Robert Saulters, said that the former West Tyrone MP had been a "dedicated Orangeman" who worked very hard for the institution.
"He took a particular interest in parading issues and was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in.
"I appointed him as one of my two assistant grand masters from 2004 to 2007 and I was honoured to have his support. He was a man of great principle and someone I trusted entirely," Mr Saulters said.
Omagh district councillor, Allan Rainey, who is the current chairman of the West Tyrone Association of the UUP, said he had been "very privileged" to have known and worked with a lifelong friend over the years.
"He has left a lasting example that many would love to imitate. I know for many of us, we will note the absence from his involvement in his church, his lodge and the numerous other empty chairs.
"I am very privileged to have known and worked with William over the years and, on behalf of the West Tyrone Association of the Ulster Unionist Party, we send our sympathy and heartfelt condolences to his wife and family circle at this very sad time," Mr Rainey said.
Fellow Omagh district councillor, Ross Hussey (UUP) said that Mr Thompson had not been expected to win the West Tyrone seat in 1997.
"But an excellent performance on the ground and a split nationalist vote allowed him to claim the seat," Mr Hussey said.
"He was of course MP when the town of Omagh was devastated by the infamous terrorist attack that led to the death of 29 people and two unborn twins. This drained him emotionally and physically as he knew many of the families personally. On losing his seat, he remained an active member of the party only stepping back in recent years.
"He handled his illness with fortitude," Mr Hussey added.
Bert Wilson, UUP, who represents the Mid Tyrone area on Omagh District Council, remembered the Beragh man as an "honest, upright, Christian gentleman". Mr Wilson praised his role in helping secure funding for renovation work at Donaghanie Orange Hall, and also recalled hearing his preaching.
"I'm a member of Fintona Presbyterian Church, and Willie would've helped us out whenever we had a vacancy. I always looked forward to hearing what he had to say," he said.
Local DUP councillor, Charlie Chittick, described Mr Thompson's passing as a "great loss" to society as a whole.
"I'm a great believer in giving credit where credit is due. William served this country well when he represented this constituency. Across the whole of the political spectrum, I would be surprised if anyone had a bad word to say about him.
"For me, it is a great loss to his wife and family and my thoughts and prayers are with them. I would like to acknowledge a gentleman, both inside and outside of politics, who called it as he saw it," Mr Chittick said.
Mr Thompson is survived by his wife, Violet, children, Wilma, Elaine and Paul, and the wider family circle
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/2005
Published Date: 16-Dec-10
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