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Mr. Denzil Elton "Possum" Thompson, 99, a former resident of Belington and more recently of Elkins, departed this life early Saturday morning, Nov. 25, 2023, in the WV Caring Hospice Facility at Elkins.
He was born Jan. 3, 1924, at the Dusk Camp Community in Gilmer County, West Virginia, a son of the late Den Elton and Rosa Jane Hite Thompson.
On March 12, 1955, at Elkins, West Virginia, he was united in marriage to the former Virginia Ruth See, who survives in Elkins.
In addition to his wife of 68 years, he is survived one daughter, Mary Thompson of Elkins, with whom he made his home.
Additional survivors include nieces and nephews, Jane Riggleman of Monterville, Steve Thompson of South Carolina, Jeff Thompson of North Carolina, Karen Boone (Ken) of Belington, Donna Auvil (Clark) of Elkins and Chris (Joe) Weese of Belington; great-nieces and great- nephews, Lisa Helmick (Randall) and their son, Josh, John Riggleman (Sharon) and their children Jonathon and Johanna; a brother-in-law Larry See (Judy); and his three feline companions.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son, Jerry Thompson; siblings, Madeline, Clotile, Audry, Stanley and Robert; and a nephew, Joe Helmick.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Denzil attended the schools of Webster and Randolph counties. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving honorably during World War II. Denzil was employed with the Badger Coal Company retiring after 38 and a half years of service. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America Union Local 31, the H.W. Daniels American Legion Post 29 in Elkins and the Laurel Mountain VFW Post 410 in Belington.
While living in Belington, he attended the Westside United Methodist Church and upon retirement he volunteered on the Greenbrier Excursion Railroad, where he enjoyed talking with the folks while traveling on the train.
Denzil never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Friends will be received from the Talbott Funeral Home, 56 North Brandenburg Street in Belington, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, from 10 a.m. to noon. He will then be moved to the WV National Cemetery at Pruntytown, where graveside rites will be conducted by Lay-Speaker Larry See. Full Military rites will then be conducted by the Grafton VFW and the United States Army Honor Guard.
The family asks in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Westside United Church c/o Pastor Lee Williams 134 Beverly Pike Belington, WV. 26250.
Condolences can be made to the family at www.talbottfuneralhome.com.
The Talbott Funeral Home in Belington is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Denzil Elton "Possum" Thompson.