Burdette "Ben" Thompson, 93 of Spearfish, passed away on February 22, 2015 in Spearfish.

Ben was born in 1921, in Doland, SD. He married Evelyn Long on February 12, 1944 in Timber Lake, SD.

Ben was a member of several military organizations. He served in four branches of the military, serving during WWII and the Korean Conflict. Ben retired in 1980 from the FAA and was also a retired military pilot with 23 years of service. He was inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame in 2004. Ben was a member of the US Army Reserve, a Shriner and a Mason.

He is survived by four daughters, Donna (Joe) Hrimnak, South Haven, MN, Marsha (Emery) Stenquist, Champlin, MN, Carol Veazie, Spearfish and Roxan Casper (Bob Steffa), Springfield, IL; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Marian Starr, Frankfort, SD; half-sister, Evelyn Holzer, Timber Lake, SD; companion, Lucille French-Wagener; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn on February 27, 2007; his parents; stepfather; two brothers; two sisters; a half-brother; three step-brothers and a step-sister.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Spearfish. Burial, with full military honors, will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 2, at Black Hills National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com