Billy Thompson played football, basketball and baseball for Ider High School. He was selected as All-County fullback during his junior and senior football seasons. Billy received a football scholarship from Jacksonville State University. During his football career from 1961-1965 he was a regular in the starting lineup as blocking back and fullback. He played in almost every football game during his career at Jacksonville State, where they won the Alabama Collegiate Conference Co-Champs in 1961, 1962, 1963 and were Conference Champs in 1964. After his graduation from Jacksonville State in 1966, Billy accepted a teaching position at Ider High School where he also served as the assistant football coach.
