Wayman Lee Thompson, a.k.a. “Uncle Bud,” loved to sing “What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon his face, the one who saved me by His grace, when he took me by the hand and leads me to the promised land, what a day a glorious day that will be.” Wayman’s “glorious day” came on Dec. 8, 2021. He was 81 years of age. Wayman was born on Nov. 23, 1940, in Bertrand, to John and Nellie (Fergurson) Thompson. He attended schools in Bertrand and Charleston. He spent two years in the Army. He met and married the “love of his life,” Beverly Trout, on July 27, 1966, at Faith Assembly of God Church in Peru, Ill. One daughter was born of this love, Barbara “Barbie” Lynn, and they lived most of their married life in Mendota, Ill. Wayman had many jobs before he found the one that fit him, working as heavy equipment operator and foreman for Burlington-Northern Railroad. He loved working outside (even in blizzards) and doing something different every day from 1973 to his retirement in 2003. They moved to their present home outside Mountain Grove in 2005. They attended First Baptist Church and First Freewill Baptist Church until his illness kept him home. He also spent many hours playing cards and shoot pool (and the breeze) with his buddies at the Senior Center. Wayman was preceded in death by his parents, John and Nellie (Story) Thompson; parents-in-law, John H. and Mamie Trout, of Mendota, Ill.; two brothers, Lindell Thompson and Luther M. Thompson; two sisters, June Bowman and Faye Barker; and his infant grandson, Gustavo Aleman. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Beverly,;his daughter, Barbara Lynn Aleman; two grandsons, Duane Jordan and Gabriel Aleman; his only granddaughter, Valerie Lynn Aleman; two godsons, Chet Ortega, of Spring Valley, Ill., and Jared Ortega, of Mendota, Ill,; and only surviving brother, Clifford Thompson, of Pueblo, Colo.; many nieces and nephews on both sides of the family; and special brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law that he loved as family. Wayman wanted his family and friends to know that each one was loved and to not grieve for him because he is finally free from his earthly bodily pain and is now singing and rejoicing with his Lord and Savior! Wayman requested that all final arrangements will be private. Remember the song “Heaven’s Sounding Sweeter All The Time.” So true! Final arrangements for Wayman Thompson will be private under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home – Mountain Grove. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
