William Vance Thompson, Sr.,

William Vance Thompson, Sr., age 91, of Alto, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2011.



Mr. Thompson was born on March 7, 1919, in Alto, Georgia to the late Samuel Tilton and Flora Gailey Thompson. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Janice Priscilla Thompson, grandson, Christopher Lee Scroggs, sister, Cara Lou Fitzgerald, and brothers, James Howard Thompson and J.C. Thompson. Mr. Thompson was a World War II veteran having proudly served his country for 4 years. He was a retired employee of Clarkesville Mills with 33 years of service. Mr. Thompson was also a poultry and cattle farmer for over 50 years and an avid gardener. He was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Alto, Georgia.



Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Louise Wade Thompson, Alto, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Jackie and Clint Scroggs, Alto, GA and Wanda and Rodney Gosnell, Clarkesville, GA; sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Wanda Thompson, Cornelia, GA, William and Jan Thompson, Alto, GA, and Jimmy and Cariedda Thompson, also of Alto, GA; son, Jerry Thompson, Alto, GA; brother and sister-in-law, Estee and Lucille Thompson, Alto, GA; 14 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.



Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 7, 2011, at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Alto, Georgia with Rev. Jan Devereaux and Rev. Paris Whitworth officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Rev. Jan Thompson officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the Grant Reeves V.F.W. Post #7720, the Habersham County American Legion Post #84, and the Rabun County D.A.V. #15.



The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2011, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia.



Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Building Fund, 516 Alto Mud Creek Road, Alto, Georgia 30510.



Those wishing to send condolences to the Thompson family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.



Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia.