Mickey Thompson

William Michael “Mickey” Thompson, 88, of Cleveland passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023, at St. Dominic Hospital, Jackson.

Mickey was born August 23, 1934, in Ruleville to Thornton and Hazel Thompson. He received his education in the Drew Public Schools, Mississippi Delta Community College, and Delta State University.  He married the former Jean Neal of Indianola December 23, 1962.

Thompson had a long record of civic involvement having served as Mayor of Shelby, MS for two     terms. After moving to Cleveland, he was elected Bolivar County Tax Assessor-Collector until his retirement in November 2000.  Following retirement, he served as a property tax consultant for several counties. He was a talented architectural draftsman and drew plans for many beautiful homes in the area.

Thompson was past president of the Mississippi Tax Assessor-Collector Association, the Mississippi Chapter of the International Assessing Association, Delta State Booster Club and Pearman School PTA. He was a member of Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, charter member of the Delta Arts Alliance, Cleveland Heritage Commission, Cleveland Planning Commission and Cleveland Crimestoppers Association.

He has served on the Mississippi Delta College Board of Trustees for thirty-five years and was chosen Alumnus of the Year in 2015. He was honored by the Cleveland Junior Auxiliary as King of the Charity Ball in 2017 and has been listed in Outstanding Young Men in America. He proudly served his country as operations sergeant of the 134^th Engineer Battalion in Drew. 

He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Cleveland, where he served as a deacon, choir member and faithful member of the Milton Burd Senior Adult Sunday School class.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Sally T. Kuzenski, Rex Thompson and Grover Thompson. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Neal Thompson, and sons, William Michael “Mike” Thompson, Jr. of Dallas, TX and Jeffrey Neal Thompson of Cleveland and a sister, Nancy Petty of Brandon, MS.

Visitation will be Friday, February 17 from 12pm until 1pm at First Baptist Church of Cleveland. Funeral services follow with Brad Beckwith officiating.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Jean and Mickey Thompson Scholarship at Mississippi Delta Community College, MDCC Development Foundation, PO Box 710, Moorhead, MS 38761 or to the Delta Arts Alliance, P O Box 763, Cleveland, MS 38732; or the charity of your choice.

Pallbearers:  Judson Brown, Scott Coopwood, Charles Dana, C.T. Dana, Greg Jackson, and Eric Patten.

Honorary Pallbearers:  Tommy Barrett, Tommy Naron, Kirkham Povall, John Duraj, Mike Barnes, John Letchworth, Buddy Long, Jordan Goines, Cameron Dakin, Tom Holder, Johnny Williams, Billy Joe Waldrup, Mike Manning, Fletcher Clark, Milton Bradley, Lyle Dilworth, H.L. Dilworth, Jimmy Shipp, and Shorty Jones.