William James "Billy" Thompson, age 56, of North Platte, NE passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, after a battle with cancer. Knowing Bill, his only comment on the matter would have been a perfectly timed "REALLY?"
Bill was born September 27, 1970, in Onslow County, North Carolina, and was adopted by James Thompson and Mary (Bremenkamp) Meyer. He moved to North Platte, Nebraska as an infant, which is about as early as anyone can claim to be local, and attended North Platte High School.
In 1989, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served until 1993, made Petty Officer Second Class (E-5), and saw Southwest Asia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The Navy taught Bill discipline. Bill taught the Navy sarcasm.
In 2006, Bill graduated from the Omaha School of Massage Therapy and became a licensed massage therapist. Yest, the same man with the sharpest one-liners in town also had a gift for helping people relax. Many in North Platte knew him as The Massage Guy and as the manager of Never 2 Late 4 Fitness, and later on at the Minnow Bucket. Between getting people in shape and working the knots out afterward, he had North Platte covered coming and going.
Bill was the real-life MacGyver. Hand him something broken and whatever happened to be lying around, and he would have it working by suppertime. Whether it was ever supposed to work that way, was a separate question, and not one he cared to discuss.
Nothing rattled him. Broken pipe, dead battery, end of the world - Bill would size up the situation, deliver one dry remark, and fix it.
He was rarely indoors and seemed mildly suspicious of anyone who was. He spent his time working outside, fishing, woodworking, and adding to his collection of knives and guns. He loved Minnesota, for reasons involving fish, and reasons he never felt the need to explain. His greatest joy was firing up the grill for family and friends, where he could feed everyone and roast them at the same time.
Bill was a friend to all. If he gave you a hard time, congratulations - he liked you. Stranger or life-long friend, if you needed help, he showed up, usually with a smart remark and exactly the right tool. He always gave himself to others, he just refused to be sappy about it.
Underneath the sarcasm was a man of Christian faith and a soft heart. Every night ended the same way with his wife: 'Good night, Hansome" and "Good night, Beautiful." Above all, he was proud of his children, Zaq and Kadence. His family will miss his presence, his sarcastic comments, and hearing him say, "Hey, Kid."
Bill is survived by his wife, Susan (Volcheck) Thompson; his children, Zaq Thompson and Kadence Purcell; his father, James Thompson; his mother, Mary Meyer; his stepchildren, Gracie Hayes and Gary Hayes; his aunt, Dusti Bremenkamp; and Earl Wohl; and numerous extended family and friends, every one of whom has a Bill Story they probably should not tell at the funeral.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Vaughn Meyer; and his stepmother, Julie Thompson.
The family extends special thanks to T.J. Harding, Rob and Danielle, Heather, Dawn, and Jeff, Jeff and Beth, Gracie, Zaq, Kadence, and the countless others for their care and support.
A public funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. CST on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the North Platte Berean Church with Pastor John Stone officiating. A luncheon will follow, because Bill never let anyone leave hungry, then burial with military honors at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska.
The service will be livestreamed through Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, which Bill would have found impractical anyway, memorials may be given to Northern Plains Boxer Rescue, PO Box 540855, Omaha, NE 68154.
Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, 421 W. Fourth Street, North Platte, NE is in charge of arrangements.