A passionate advocate for the rights of rural communities to legal and other services, William James (Bill) Thompson, died recently at Coolamon-Ganmain Community Hospital aged 63 years.
Bill is survived by his wife Gabrielle and his three children Alexander, Jack and Charlie.
Bill was a third-generation solicitor at Coolamon where he joined his father Jim Thompson at the Coolamon office of Commins Thompson & Associates in 1985. When that firm merged with the Wagga-based Mortimer Hendriks Griffin & Erratt in 1991, Bill became a Pprtner and later solicitor director, carrying that through to Commins Hendriks. 
He was a solicitor with the North West Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service between January 1983 and January 1984, an experience he passionately reflected on. 
He was recognised as a leader in his field of succession planning, his practice spanning the whole of country NSW. he was a "no fuss" solicitor with a pragmatic approach to solving issues.
Solicitor-Director and long-term colleague of Bill, Ms Tammy Holzheimer, said: "Bill had successfully lobbied successive state governments for change, including the Intergenerational Stamp Duty Exemption and changes to the Centrelink assets and income test to benefit farmers. 
“Beyond that, he was always one to go that extra mile, not just for his clients but also for the community”. 
Over the years, Bill had been involved in a range of sporting, social, fundraising and support organisations and events. He was recognised with awards for many of the organisations he supported and in 2013 he was awarded an Order of Australia in the General Division Medal (OAM) of the Australia Day Honours list for service to the community of the Riverina. 
In addition, he was twice awarded the Coolamon Shire Citizen of the Year in 1987 and 2006 respectively and later an Honoured Citizen Award in 2020.
“The immense respect held for Bill by the legal fraternity, both rural and metropolitan, goes without saying" said Phillip McIntosh, CEO of Commins Hendriks.
 “Bill has been a fierce advocate for the rights of farming families and, as such, has set a huge example for all staff at Commins Hendriks to continue to follow.”
He will be sorely missed by his family, work colleagues at Commins Hendriks as well as the broader community. 
Together with his late father Jim, a WW2 Veteran and mother Cathy (WW2/Korea) Bill was also a strong advocate and supporter of their community at Coolamon.
The RSL Sub Branch was one of many organisations fortunate to have enjoyed a long association with the Thompson family.   
Bill held the position of Patron and Honorary Solicitor of the Coolamon RSL Sub Branch for over 20 years and his guidance and mat ship will be sadly missed by all veterans in the community.
A distinguished former member of the Coolamon Lions Club, Bill joined Lions in 1985 and held numerous positions in the Club including President (1987), Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.   
For over 10 years, he was the Club's Bulletin Editor and was active in all matters in Lions until illness forced him into retirement.   
A Lions spokesman said that Bill was at all times a community minded man and his passing left a great hole in the fabric of the Coolamon community. 
Members of the Coolamon Lions Club held a moments silence before the Club's fortnightly dinner meeting in remembrance of Bill.
His past roles in the community included:
• President of St Michael’s Hall Committee
• Secretary: Coolamon Colonial Fair Committee
• Kindra Park Trust – Secretary since 1986
• NERRCS – Chairman since 1991
• Community Benefit Fund – Patron
• Regional Development Board
• Honorary Solicitor RFL Riverina, Coolamon, Ganmain, Marrar, Jets, also Henty and The Rock.
Bill also played an important role in campaigns such as the Coolamon Hospital hospital and Allawah Lodge, Coolamon Skate Park and  Coolamon Dirty Weekend.
A great advocate for rural living, he was always happy to be on the radio/TV to present the benefits and beauty of a rural lifestyle.
An avid historian he created and collected a comprehensive record of the history of the town and region recording and preserving it for future generations.
Bill's funeral was held on Saturday August 7 at Saint Michael's Catholic Church in Coolamon.