Billy Thompson

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Billy Thompson (born 1932, died July 30, 2006) was a four-term Commissioner in the Shelby County Commission, representing District 1. He had previously served for 24 years as the Shelby County coroner and ran unsuccessfully for Sheriff of Shelby County twice. Prior to that he worked as a funeral director.

During his 1974 campaign for the sheriff's office, Thompson and six others were arrested and charged with conspiring to murder his opponent, incumbent Sheriff C. P. "Red" Walker. The charges were dismissed by Attorney General Bill Baxley who said there was no evidence to enable prosecution. Thompson narrowly lost to Walker in the primary and later sued for false arrest, accepting an out of court settlement in 1976.

He was first elected to the County Commission in 1992. He left the Democratic Party two years later.

Thompson died in July 2006. He was survived by his wife, Mary Ann, three children and five grandchildren. Visitation was at First Baptist Church of Columbiana with burial at the Columbiana City Cemetery.

References

  • Gray, Jeremy (July 31, 2006) "Shelby Co. Commissioner Billy Thompson dies." Birmingham News.