Wallace E. Thompson II

Wallace Everett Thompson II (also known as Wally or Wonderful Wallace), age 52, passed suddenly from this life into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, February 22, 2018. His favorite song was “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and he had a lifelong passion for all things Harley Davidson. We can picture him free as a bird and riding a Harley in Heaven. Wally was born on June 6, 1965, in Millinocket, Maine to Wallace Everett Thompson and Faye Hartley Thompson. He was the fifth child in the family and the “baby” until he was 13, when family adopted their sixth child. The family moved to Bellingham in 1968 where he attended school. Wally graduated from Bellingham High School in 1984 and spent the next four years serving the United States Marine Corps. He also served with the Army National Guard starting the summer between his junior and senior years in high school. He became a Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker and spent about 18 years working in that field. Most recently, he was employed with EPL Feed in Sumas as a Maintenance Mechanic, a job he was proud of and loved. Wally had a personality and heart bigger than most and he leaves a space in all our lives that will never be filled. He was unfailingly generous with his time and resources, had worked as a volunteer firefighter with the Ferndale Fire Department for several years, and had a most recently volunteered regularly with a Ferndale Food Bank. He was devoted to the Ferndale Holiness Camp and spent many hours there during the annual camp meeting. The accomplishments Wally was most proud of were of his sons, Jacob “Bukki” Thompson (age 23), Thomas Thompson (age 19), and Benjamin Thompson (age 16). His love for the boys was evident to anyone who had the opportunity to talk with him for more than a minute. Wally spent countless hours involved with the boys’ sports and other activities, often coaching and mentoring all the kids involved. He considered many of the boys’ friends to be his kids as well, and his door was always open to anyone. Family meant everything to Wally and, for him, it wasn’t just biological. His family was enormous and included many well-loved friends. Wally was preceded in death by his dearly loved parents, Faye in 2001 and Wallace in 2012, and his much admired “big” brother, Ken, in 2014. He is survived by Bukki, Thomas, and Ben, as well as his siblings Michelle Thompson, Stephanie and Allen Anderson, Vanessa and Dennis Chitwood, Margaret and Chad Kemp, and Gene Thompson. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who adored their uncle Wally (or “Ah Wah”) and great-nieces and great-nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ferndale Food Bank are encouraged. Visitation will be Friday, March 9, 4:30pm to 7:30pm at Moles Funeral Home, 2039 Main St. Ferndale. A memorial service will be Saturday, March 10, at 11:00am at Faith Baptist Church, 2060 Washington St., Ferndale.

Wallace E. Thompson II

June 6, 1965 - February 22, 2018