Dr. and Mrs. William J. “Bill” Thompson of La Grange, formerly of Birmingham, Ala., celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary April 23, 2013, with a surprise dinner given by their four children — Joseph Randall “Randy” Thompson of La Grange, Rachel Thompson Marley and husband Donnie of Kinston, William “Mark” Thompson and wife Sabrina of Drexel, and Ruth Thompson Dale and husband Lee of Glen Alpine — at The Baron & The Beef in Kinston.
The couple has five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
The Thompsons were presented with special gifts and a “family-tradition” Red Velvet cake made especially for them by Ann Baker of Kinston. Cindy Minges custom-designed their corsage and boutonniere.
Thompson, a retired Southern Baptist minister, is a graduate of Samford University Birmingham; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.; and Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Ky. He is a Bible/Hebrew/Greek scholar, crossword puzzle whiz, bicycle enthusiast, and Alabama Crimson Tide football fan.
“Dot” Thompson is a homemaker whose talents and interests include painting, music, cooking and exercising at Curves.
The Thompsons were married at Lake Highland Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., April 23, 1948.