Wilson VanBuren “Buren” Thompson of Banks, AL went home to be with the Lord Friday, January 9, 2015. He was 87. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Banks Baptist Church with Rev. Donnie Dunn, Rev. Rhett McGowin and Rev. W.O. Sanders officiating. Burial will follow in the Banks Cemetery with Skeen Funeral Home of Troy directing. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Skeen Funeral Home in Troy. The family will also receive friends from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm Sunday at the church one hour prior to the service. He was born July 17, 1927 in Pike County, AL to the late John Thompson and Mary Wilson Thompson. Buren served as Deacon at Banks Baptist Church for more than two decades. He served the church selflessly in every way as Sunday School teacher and on committees whenever called upon. His dedication to the church came from his deep love of the Lord and his desire to share this great love with others. Buren served as a dedicated Gideon for thirty years; one of his greatest joys was to give New Testaments to the students. He assisted Skeen Funeral for many years in their service to the community. Buren worked for many years with Carter Brothers, prior to that job he was in the logging business and he also worked with the Pike County School System. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his son, John William Thompson, a brother, John Thompson, and a nephew, Gordon Thompson. He is survived by his wife: Oline Thompson, Banks; stepson: William Titus Griffin (Inez), Troy; grandchildren: Jeremy Griffin and Meredith Griffin; sister-in-law: Joyce Thompson; niece: Bertha Williamson (Dewayne); nephew: William Thompson, and great nieces: Carrie and Heather Taylor. Buren will be deeply missed by the Banks Community, his family, friends and neighbors that have loved him dearly. Memorials may be made to the Pike County Gideons, P.O. Box 245, Troy, AL 36081 or to Banks Baptist Church, 3741 County Rd. 5511, Troy, AL 36081.

The guest book may be signed and words of condolences may be expressed at www.skeenfuneralhome.com