Col. Edward Albert Thompson

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 4:59 a.m., Colonel Edward Thompson took his last breath and went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center. Surely, he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The family will receive condolences prior to the service at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Boulevard, Waco, Texas Monday, December 8, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Services will begin at 10:00 a.m. and interment will be at Waco Memorial Park in the Veterans Field of Honor following the service. Colonel Thompson will be laid to rest with full military honors. The service will not be streamed live, but recorded and available later on the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey website.

On Easter Sunday, March 27, 1932, Edward Albert Thompson was born on his family’s farm in San Juan, Texas to Leon and Iva Thompson. He was baptized June 12, 1932, at Methodist Episcopal Church and confirmed October 21, 1945. As a young boy, his family relocated to Conway, Arkansas. At the age of thirteen he lost his father. He, his mother, and his baby sister were taken in by Stephen and Dorothy Waldike, his mother’s sister and brother-in-law. The family later accompanied his uncle, who was in service, overseas. In 1946 he began school at Erlangen High School before transferring to Nurnberg High School where he had the opportunity to attend the Nurnberg Trials. Witnessing this event molded the path he would take in life.

Influenced by his early experiences abroad and the service of those around him, Edward chose to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Army. It was during his time in service, at a USO dance in Indianapolis, Indiana, that he met his beautiful bride. They courted, writing letters for two years, as Ed served overseas in Japan and Korea. Edward and Edna Backus were united in marriage on August 24, 1954, in Glendora, Michigan. He was then confirmed in the Lutheran Faith on July 14,1957 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, Indiana.

After he graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education, he began working for the Marion County Juvenile court system. He obtained his Master of Arts in Psychology from Indiana University and began his career in Social Work at the Lutheran Child Welfare Association. Over the course of a distinguished career in Social Work and Veteran Affairs, he rose to the rank of Colonel. Ed and Edna went on to build their family and had three children. They relocated many times across the country, settling back in Texas, where they purchased a home in Woodway.

Colonel Thompson was a driven man, committed both to his work and to his faith. He used his gifts serving as an addiction counselor through the Veterans Administration Medical Center. He also served faithfully as an elder and grief counselor in his church. He was known for his caring heart and the strong, meaningful hugs he offered to anyone in need.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Edna June Thompson; his parents, Leon and Iva Thompson; his aunt and uncle, Stephen and Dorothy Waldike; his brother-in-law, David Hyde; and his infant great-grandson, Cooper John Anderlik.

He is survived by his sister, Francis Hyde of Springfield, Missouri; his three children, son Steve Thompson and wife Sandra of Woodway, daughter Barbara Thompson-Skolaski of Woodway, and daughter Ellen Watson and husband Wynn of Axtell; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Colonel Thompson leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Jessica and husband Grady Norton of College Station, Ashley and husband Scott Anderlik of Richardson, Kevin and wife Shelby Potts of Woodway, Sydney and husband Jim Rhodes of Gainesville, Austin Thompson of Woodway, and Scott and wife Shelby Skolaski of Hutto. Also left with his memory and legacy are his great-grandchildren, Jed and Gentry Norton, Ryleigh and Harper Anderlik, Arrow and Boone Potts, and James, Joy, and Juniper Rhodes.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Kevin Potts, Austin Thompson, Scott Skolaski, Grady Norton, Scott Anderlik and Jim Rhodes. Honorary Pallbearers will be Keith and Craig Johnson, longtime friends he loved like his own.

The family wants to thank Sabreena Geeslin along with the entire staff, past and present at Stoney Brook of Hewitt. He made countless friends there and will miss them dearly but see them again. You are truly our family and gave our dad eleven of his best golden years and oh the sweet memories we have with you. A special thank you to Debbie, Nancy, Emily, Stephanie, and Victoria at Powerback Rehab for the love you gave to our dad and always working to help him gain strength and balance after his many health issues and hospital stays. To Baylor Scott and White including the doctors for his care, and all the nurses who loved him so dearly.

The family invites you to share a message or memory of Ed in his “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com