William Paul Thompson

Overview

William Paul "Bud" Thompson (May 2, 1938 – June 19, 1989) was an American serial killer and self-proclaimed contract killer, whose life and crimes paint a dark portrait of violence and chaos across several states. Convicted for three murders committed between March and April 1984 in California and Nevada, Thompson also confessed to three additional homicides in other states, although those claims remain unverified. Ultimately, he was sentenced to death for his crimes in Nevada, withdrew his appeals, and was executed in 1989.

Quick Facts

• Born: May 2, 1938, in Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S.
• Died: June 19, 1989 (aged 51), Nevada State Prison, Carson City, Nevada, U.S.
• Cause of Death: Execution by lethal injection
• Other Names: "Bud"
• Convictions:
  • Nevada: First-degree murder
  • California: First-degree murder, second-degree murder
• Criminal Penalty:
  • Nevada: Death
  • California: Life imprisonment
• Victims: 3–6 known
• Span of Crimes: March 25 – April 21, 1984 (known)
• Country: United States
• Date Apprehended: April 21, 1984

Early Life

Thompson was born into a turbulent household. His father, William Webb Thompson, was a violent alcoholic who subjected the family to brutal beatings during his drunken bouts. This environment fostered resentment in young William, who began drinking and stealing at the tender age of 12, leading to his placement in reform school. As he grew older, Thompson amassed a criminal record that spanned several states, including New York, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Kansas. His offenses ranged from burglary to forgery, safecracking, and counterfeiting.

When not incarcerated, Thompson drifted across the country, picking up various odd jobs, including boxing and working for the Salvation Army. His personal life took a tragic turn in the 1970s when he married, only to lose his wife to cancer in 1982, a loss that seemed to plunge him deeper into violence. Shortly thereafter, he claimed to have committed his first murders—though these claims lack confirmation.

The Murders

The tale of Thompson's descent into murder begins on March 25, 1984, when he and 44-year-old Robert Herman Boyle were drinking at the eerie-named Murderer's Bar, located just northeast of Auburn, California. Here, they encountered brothers Robert and John Pariset, who were enjoying a fishing trip. What started as a friendly gathering quickly spiraled into horror. Thompson, irritated by the brothers' noisy motorcycles and Boyle's drunken antics, whispered his growing annoyance to Boyle.

The group eventually moved to Thompson and Boyle's campsite for a more private drinking session. As the brothers went to fetch sleeping bags from their camper, they unwittingly left Robert alone with Thompson. When they returned, they found Robert lying on the ground, mistakenly believing he had fallen asleep. However, when Boyle left again for blankets, he heard a gunshot. Rushing back, he discovered Thompson had shot John Pariset in the head with a .22 revolver while rifling through the brothers' pockets.

What followed was a grim pact; the two men agreed not to inform the police about the killings. They fled to Winnemucca, Nevada, but not before a local 15-year-old had already reported seeing them leave the scene of the crime, leading to an arrest warrant.

While Boyle headed toward Salt Lake City, Thompson continued to Reno, where he was desperate for cash and a false ID. On April 21, he encountered 28-year-old Randy Waldron, an unemployed transient. Without hesitation, Thompson shot Waldron in the head four times, looted his pockets, and fled the scene. Not long after, he attempted to rob two women, Barbara Johnson and Susan Black, at gunpoint. However, the women fought back, with Johnson throwing a tire iron at him and Black striking him with her handbag, forcing him to flee.

Authorities quickly apprehended Thompson, who was easily recognized thanks to his distinctive knuckle tattoos.

Trials and Imprisonment

Days after his capture, forensic evidence linked Thompson to Waldron's murder. Bullets from his gun matched those recovered at the crime scene, and some of Waldron's belongings were found in his possession. As Thompson remained in Nevada's jurisdiction, he faced charges including murder, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery, and carrying a concealed weapon.

Meanwhile, Boyle, arrested earlier in Salt Lake City, faced charges for the Auburn homicides. Initially, he pleaded not guilty, but the judge decided to delay his proceedings until after Thompson's trial commenced. The trial began on September 17, 1984, with prosecutors announcing their intent to seek the death penalty. Prosecutor Jerry Mowbray portrayed Thompson as a "psychopathic killer" who relished in taking lives.

Defense attorney Richard Campbell attempted to paint Waldron as the aggressor, claiming Thompson acted in self-defense during a fit of rage induced by paint fumes. The jury, however, found this defense implausible. After a week-long trial, Thompson was convicted on all counts. On September 27, he received a death sentence, which he accepted with apparent calmness, thanking his attorney before being led away.

Thompson's execution date was initially set for December 1984, but the standard legal procedures led to automatic appeals. In early December, he was extradited to California to stand trial for the murders of the Pariset brothers. During this time, Boyle, who had little involvement in the murders, struck a deal with prosecutors to testify against Thompson in exchange for immunity.

In court, Boyle recounted the events, explaining that Thompson's motive was to eliminate the brothers and rob them. Throughout the proceedings, Thompson appeared indifferent, reading a book and commenting on the quality of food on death row. He ultimately pleaded guilty to the double murder at the trial's conclusion. Before sentencing, his lawyer requested a medical evaluation to assess whether brain lesions may have affected Thompson's judgment. No lesions were found, leading to a 25-year-to-life sentence for the killings, after which he was returned to Nevada's death row.

Execution

In the years that followed, Thompson made a shocking decision to drop all appeals, expressing a desire to die with dignity. He spent his final days on death row turning to religion and even pursuing a formal education in law. The day before his execution, he participated in his first and only interview, sharing his life story and confessing to three contract killings in New York, Kansas, and Oklahoma. This confession included the chilling claim of having murdered a federal prosecutor who had convicted his prison acquaintances, though he refused to name any victims or those who hired him, cryptically stating that their bodies would "never be found." Oklahoma State Attorney Tony Graham dismissed this confession as "preposterous," noting he was unaware of any missing prosecutor.

On June 19, 1989, William Paul Thompson was executed by lethal injection at the Nevada State Prison. In his final hours, he conversed with the prison chaplain and another inmate. Just before entering the execution chamber, Thompson’s last words were reported to be, "Thank you for letting me die with dignity."

Sources

• William Paul Thompson - Wikipedia
• Riley, Brendan (June 18, 1989). "Condemned killer who wants to die admits six killings in interview". San Bernardino Sun – via Newspapers.com.
• "Murderer Is Executed In Nevada". The New York Times. June 20, 1989.
• Various articles from the Auburn Journal and Reno Gazette-Journal detailing trial and crimes.

This case reveals the tragic interplay of a chaotic life, impulsive violence, and the profound consequences that follow, making it a haunting chapter in the annals of true crime.