July 31, 1944 – Dec. 23, 2025
William R. Thompson passed away at the age of 81 in Lexington, Ky.
He came to Guam in 1967 at age 21 with the U.S. Air Force, after serving for almost four years in the communications field, and after time in Vietnam, Thailand and Okinawa.
After his discharge, and visiting his home in Ashland, Ky., he returned to Guam to marry Censia Sablan and a job offer from Avis Rent-A-Car. During his five years at Avis, the agency grew from a fleet of less than 30 cars to 180 in three locations. In 1973, Thompson was hired by Jones & Guerrero to manage National Car Rental, and within a year was selling cars for J&G Motors, subsequently becoming the company’s youngest general manager. In 1981 he was invited to join Atkins Kroll, with the understanding he would become its next president, which he became in October 1983.
The 1980s were a time of success for Thompson and AK, with soaring sales, including additional distributorships and Toyota at the top of the sales chart. By 1984, AK was one of Micronesia’s largest private sector employers on Guam and Saipan. In 1988, AK’s Pacific headquarters asked Thompson to run its non-Toyota motors business in the region, which included Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and Micronesia. He and the family moved to Hong Kong but remained residents of Guam. In 1992 Thompson returned to Guam as country manager for Micronesia, regional director for Asia, president of AK and a board member of Microl Corp. (now AK Saipan) in Saipan.
Frank S.N. Shimizu, president and CEO of Ambros Inc., and his wife, Fermina, were close friends of the Thompsons.
Shimizu said, To my ‘Pare’ Bill … Meming and I will miss you.” Shimizu said the four had “lots of good times together; memorable trips with you and Censia: Our Bordeaux - Toulouse canal trip, Vancouver - Anchorage cruise, MLB ball games at Toronto Blue Jays, NY Yankees, STL Cardinals and LA Dodgers; Brazil; Australia; Hong Kong.”
Shimizu also said Thompson was, “A lifelong friend that will never be forgotten! Rest In Peace, Pare.”
Thompson was involved in and a supporter of the Guam Special Olympics and the Babe Ruth League, president of the Kiwanis Club of Guam, and a member of the Young Presidents Club of America. Philip J. Flores, president and CEO of BankPacific, said, “Bill was a fine man who will be missed. He also served on our bank’s board for many years, contributing immensely.”
Thompson is the 1997 Guam Business Magazine Executive of the Year. Writing to the magazine at the end of 2020 for a 2021 feature on the Executives of the Year, he said, “I am proud and humbled to have had the privilege of looking after Guam’s oldest recorded company for many years — Atkins Kroll. As a team we were successful in many different business activities to include automotive, insurance, shipping agency, a hotel and restaurant supplier, wines and spirits and more during my tenure as AK president.”
He additionally wrote, “Later our governor asked me to serve as the Guam International Airport Authority’s chairman of the board during the airport’s major expansion project in the mid-1990s. Years later I was fortunate to serve as their chief executive. Again, working with a brilliant team of highly motivated individuals.”
The Guam International Airport Authority told Glimpses Media it “joins the island community in mourning the passing of the renowned island business leader and former Airport executive manager who served as the head of the agency in 2003 through 2004 and as chairman of the board.”
John M. Quinata, executive manager at GIAA, said, “William R. Thompson contributed greatly to the Guam International Airport during his tenure in the face of global and local challenges that impacted travel to the island, such as the significant changes to the aviation landscape post 9/11, the SARS pandemic in March 2003 and recovery from Super Typhoon Pongsona that struck the island in December 2002.
“On behalf of the Airport Authority’s board of directors, management and staff, I extend condolences to Mrs. Censia Sablan Thompson and the family of the late William “Bill” R. Thompson. The Airport community is forever grateful for his contributions and service.”
William R. Thompson is survived by his wife, Censia Thompson, sons Kelly S. Thompson, and Joaquin K. Thompson, as well as their families, and siblings and other family members. mbj
