Tributes paid to leading Orangeman

Poignant tributes have been paid to the County Grand Secretary of Co Antrim, Worshipful Brother William (Billy) Thompson, after he passed away peacefully in hospital on January 28.
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A member of Boyd Memorial LOL 312 in Burnside, Antrim, Mr Thompson served as Worshipful District Master of Sixmilewater District LOL No 10 and the County Grand Secretary of Co Antrim Grand Orange Lodge.

Tributes have poured in from the Loyal Orders following Mr Thompson’s passing.

A spokesperson for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: “Billy could easily be described as a hardworking stalwart of the Orange Institution. He was always willing to help out and gave freely of his time and talents.

Billy Thompson. Pic by  Graham Balhaam-Curry.Billy Thompson. Pic by  Graham Balhaam-Curry.
Billy Thompson. Pic by Graham Balhaam-Curry.

“Billy was a regular visitor to Schomberg House and he will be greatly missed by all the staff.”

A spokesperson for Tildarg Orange Hall said: “Billy was a tireless servant of the Orange and unionist cause. Our prayers and sympathy are with his wife and family.”

Posting on social media, Brian Kerr, Cloughfern LOL, said: “Billy was a true friend to Cloughfern District and worked tirelessly in support of the District.

“His support over the last few years in the public meetings with politicians and in the ongoing discussions of the Peace IV program were an asset to the Brethren and the Institution.”

A spokesperson for Ballyclare’s Young’s Temperance True Blues LOL 957 said: “Billy was a great friend to the lodge and he worked tirelessly for the Orange Institution

“Our deepest condolences are with his wife and family at this sad time. The Lord is my shepherd.”

Mr Thompson had close ties with the Orange Order in England and regularly attended events in England.

Sending condolences to the Thompson family, a spokesperson for the Grand Orange Lodge of England said: “The Most Worshipful Grand Master Bro W R Bather HDGM and his Officers would like to express our sadness and regret at the news of Bro William Thompson’s sad passing.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Billy was for many years a true and faithful friend of the Grand Orange Lodge of England and will be sadly missed.”Mr Thompson, who was late of Lime Grove, Lurgan was the dearly loved husband of Hilda and much loved father of Ian, Clive, Karl and Lee.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart knew Mr Thompson well.

Paying tribute, the DUP representative said: “Just can’t quite take this news in. My thoughts and prayers are with Hilda and Billy’s family, friends and fellow brethren.

“Billy was a gem, and we loved when he popped in to see us. Many a discussion was had about politics, Lime Grove, Antrim, the Orange, Remembrance Sunday and more recently NI100.

“Billy was a loyal son of Ulster. He loved his country and was a proud Orangeman.

“The loss is felt deeply by myself and my office team, Ross, Dianne and Pamela and we would pass on our sympathies to the entire family circle.”

Mr Thompson was also Chairman of the Broughshane branch of the Royal British Legion.

Paying tribute, the branch’s Vice Chair David Doherty, said: “As Vice Chairman of the Branch it is with deepest sadness that I regret to announce that our friend and Chairman Mr William Thompson has passed away after his battle with Covid-19.

“William always put his heart and soul in to everything he did and he will be sadly missed by all his friends and Comrades in Broughshane Branch of The Royal British Legion.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children and family circle at this sad time.”

The Newtownabbey Times reported last year how members of the Royal Black Preceptory in Co Antrim donated money for NHS scrubs.

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