William Lea Thompson died peacefully Nov. 24, 2013 at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC following an extended illness. He was born Aug. 26, 1928 in Curwensville to Roxie Ann Hess and Francis Ignatius Thompson.
He was preceded in death by his three siblings, Darl Francis, Robert Walter and Lois May T. Peters. He’s survived by several nieces and nephews and his beloved Swans, Amelia, Ann, Anne, BB, Betty, Carol, Cheryl, Connie, Emma, Georgina, Kathy, Lee, Lena, Margize, Maria, Marian, Mona, Pat, Sallie, Schatzie, Shirley, Sunny, Suzanne and Toni.
He descended from Quakers and adopted this quiet religion in his early 20’s. He graduated from Clearfield High School in 1946. He went to the Culinary Institute of America. He traveled extensively and had homes in Charleston, SC, Barrytown, NY, St. Croix, USVI and New York City.
He is the author of two books, Beginnings and Ghostly Poems. He was a great lover of books and beauty and worked in the preservation and interior design fields. He was a founding member and on the board of Classical American Homes Preservation Trust.
He bids farewell to his best friend of 48 years, Dick Jenrette, and his other old friends and new friends that have made his life a happy one.
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This obituary except for the first sentence was dictated by Mr. Thompson to one of his Swans three nights before his death when it had become evident that he would not survive pulmonary and heart complications. The Swans were his best lady friends and named after Truman Capote’s swans.
His obituary is much too modest for his many accomplishments. In his 48 years with Dick Jenrette, he was involved in the restoration, decoration and landscaping of several important, early 19th century homes. These included Edgewater, built in 1824 on the Hudson River in northern Dutchess County; Roper House, built in 1838 in Charleston, SC; Millford Plantation, built in 1840 near Columbia, SC; Ayr Mount, built in 1815 in Hillsborough, NC and Cane Garden, built in 1786 in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. In New York City he lived in and took an active role in restoring, several noteworthy residences including the George F. Baker Houses at 67-69 E. 93rd St., One Sutton Place North and 37 Charlton St.
Mr. Thompson was instrumental in helping assemble one of the largest collections of Duncan Phyfe furniture, as well the collections of other early 19th century cabinetmakers. He also played an integral role in identifying and collecting portraits, carpets, curtains and chandeliers for these houses. He had a keen interest in gardening and landscaping for all of these properties. No small detail escaped him. Mr. Thompson was a founding director of Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, which either owns or will own most of these properties to open them to the public as house museums.
A voracious reader himself, he collected more than 60,000 books, located in the various properties he shared with Dick Jenrette. He wanted each house to have a “proper library.” His collecting concentrated in 20th century English and American novels, as well as architecture, gardening and landscape. Many of the books are signed by the authors, including Truman Capote and Gore Vidal, who sold Edgewater to Mr. Jenrette in 1969.
Mr. Thompson did not want a memorial service but asked to be interred at Edgewater, his home in Barrytown, NY. A memorial service will be held there in the spring for family and friends who wish to see his final resting place. He was a lovely human being who loved old houses and beautiful things and his many friends. He will be missed greatly by his many friends and family.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, he would appreciate contributions to Classical American Homes, which will continue to preserve his work. All gifts in memoriam can be directed towards Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, 69 E. 93rd St., New York, NY 10128 or 212-369-4460.