Thomaston- William John Thomson, 88, of, died peacefully at Waterbury Hospital on Friday, December 7, 2012, after a brief illness. Mr. Thomson was born in Waterbury on November 23, 1924, the third son of Harry and Anna (Thompson) Thomson. A 1942 graduate of Thomaston High School, he lived in Thomaston all his life. He was predeceased by brothers Harry and John, and by his wife, Mildred Lundberg Thomson, and son Michael J. Thomson. He leaves a son, Stephen, of Thomaston, and a granddaughter, Lauren, of Chicago, along with several nieces and nephews. A member of the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers, Mr. Thomson retired in 1988 as Chief Engineer of the Hallden Machine Company in Thomaston. During his career he traveled extensively in the US, Europe, and Asia, representing the company. In 1979 he was a member of a delegation led by U.S. Steel Corporation representatives invited to Shanghai, China to discuss the supply of steel mill equipment for a new mill complex at Baoshan, in one of the first American trade openings to the Peoples Republic of China. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Thomson served with the 547th Air Service Group, 12th Air Force in the Italian theater. He was awarded the European, African, Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, along with the Good Conduct Medal. In the postwar years he was a member of the American Legion and the Thomaston Stag Club. A superb athlete (he was captain of his high school basketball team and a winner of several track and field events), he remained active in baseball and softball leagues in the area for many years, and was an avid bowler and skier. He enjoyed family vacations in Maine and on Cape Cod, and made several trips across the country. He was a member of the Covenant Church of Thomaston. Arrangements: A graveside service will be held at Hillside Cemetery in Thomaston at 10 am on Saturday, December 15, followed by a memorial service at 11 am at the Covenant Church of Thomaston, with a reception in the church fellowship hall. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to disabled veterans at www.supportveterans.org.

Service Information Cemetery Hillside Cemetery Center Street Thomaston, CT --> Service Saturday December 15, 2012 11:00 AM The Covenant Church 64 Grove Street Thomaston, CT 06787 -->