Born on February 20, 1929 to Frank and Hazel Tichy in Oak Park, Illinois, Betty Tichy Thompson went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at her home in Wheaton.

Betty grew up in Chicago, and graduated from Moody Bible Institute where she felt the call to become an overseas missionary. She transferred two years of Bible credit to John Brown University with the intention of going into Christian missionary radio. It was there she met Bill and knew immediately he would become her husband.

Betty and her husband Bill were pioneer radio missionaries with SIM at Radio ELWA in Liberia for 27 years. Following a coup in 1980, Bill and Betty returned to the US where Betty was a pastor's wife as Bill became the pastor of Hunt Baptist Church in New York for 10 years. For the past 29 years they have lived in Wheaton, continuing to minister to family, friends, internationals and refugees.

Betty used her considerable music and writing skills at Radio ELWA performing and writing radio scripts. She taught many Bible studies and discipled people from all walks of life. She was an amazing "connector" and "networker", and her connections spanned the globe. In her 70's, Betty discovered e-mail, and continued her networking on the internet, keeping friends and former missionaries informed of news and prayer requests.

Betty had the gift of hospitality and inclusion, from refugees to ambassadors. Betty and Bill were involved with the Liberian Church in Monrovia, and were fully involved in SIM's Ethnic Ministries in the Chicago area. They were also founding board members of ELWA Ministries Association USA.

Bill and Betty were married 67 years when God called Bill home last September 23, 2018. Betty is survived by her children: Judy (Bob) Koci, Nancy (Jim) Molenhouse, Sally (Perry) Moore, Bill (Judi) Thompson, Brian (Cheryl) Thompson, Meanu (Heni) Kayea; 21 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren; and sister in law Nancy Tichy. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her twin brother Frank Tichy, her grandson Connor Moore and great niece Cassi Tichy.

Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Wednesday at the Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. The funeral will be on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 11 am at Wheaton Bible Church, 27W500 North Ave., West Chicago, IL 60185. Interment will be in Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to:
ELWA Ministries Association USA
P.O. Box 1
Warrenville, IL 60555

https://www.facebook.com/EMAUSA/