A person's craft, passions, are one of the most important aspects of life. Everyone seeks a lasting manifestation of self whether it is through offspring, trade, or other miscellaneous achievements. Everyone wants a surviving testament even when they no longer are, a sign that they existed and mattered. William Thompson was someone entirely dedicated to his craft, not for show or social gain, but on behalf of the art itself. Acclaim and success soon lose their luster, but when something is done for the sake of doing it, authentic happiness and satisfaction result. This was a lesson never told to me, but demonstrated by him, wordless.

           When playing billiards or fishing, he showed that patience and humbleness were virtues one could never have too much of. As he sank another difficult shot in the corner pocket, a small smile would appear on his face; an even bigger one emerged if he missed. To laugh at mistakes, and cherish them as being just as integral to living as success, and maybe more important--this was a most enriching education he afforded me which could never be communicated vocally.