Celebrating Bill Thompson, a Wild Alaska Champion 

Alaska Wilderness League is proud to have the support of a dedicated and tight-knit community that has come together time and time again to preserve some of Alaska’s most iconic landscapes. Support from this community comes in many forms – ranging anywhere from sending a message to Congress to making a personally meaningful donation to advance this important work. And, with a little planning today, supporters of all walks of life and financial means can have an outsized impact on Alaska’s public lands and waters by including the League in their estate plans.    

Last year, we were informed that one such member of our community, William (Bill) Thompson of Salt Lake City, had sadly passed away. As a small tribute to Bill’s involvement in our organization and countless others throughout his lifetime – and in gratitude for the steps he took to remember the League in his will – we are pleased to share this remembrance with you. Hopefully it can offer inspiration for carrying the torch for protecting the wild places that Bill cared so deeply about.  

Bill Thompson was deeply committed to the preservation of wild lands not only in Alaska but throughout the world, which he often shared with others. As recently as 2017, Bill explored Gates of the Arctic National Park, capping off just one among many expeditions he’d completed throughout his life.  

Bill often documented his journeys as well, crafted presentations teeming with images, videos and captivating stories. These helped transport friends and family members to remote areas throughout the world, often highlighting the importance of preserving these special places. One such presentation started with an axiom that seemed to encapsulate his interest in exploring wild places, as he shared, “A grand adventure requires exactly the right mix of challenge, danger, conflict, self-sufficiency and uncertainty of outcome.”  

Bill’s interests in Alaska stemmed not only from multiple trips to the Arctic, but also fishing trips with his father to Iliamna Lake, nearby the proposed Pebble Mine project. These inspired a storied history of involvement on Alaska lands issues, dating back to the 1980s and extending well beyond that.  

In the decades to follow, as Alaska Wilderness League was formed and continued to grow, Bill came to support the organization through his charitable giving. Throughout his lifetime of giving, he also paid attention – keeping a careful eye on League communications and engaging directly with staff to share thoughts and insights.    

Over time, Bill made the choice to include the League as one of a few causes that would serve beneficiaries in his will. After Bill passed away, this inclusion led to a transformative gift to the League, further cementing his legacy in the upper echelons of Alaska lands advocates.  

All of us at Alaska Wilderness League are incredibly grateful for Bill’s lifelong support and for his continued impact on America’s Arctic, the Tongass National Forest, and so many more special places across the state.  

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about how to include the League in your estate plans, please visit alaskawildlegacy.org or reach out to Chris@AlaskaWild.org.