Joe Thompson
General Manager

Joe Thompson grew up and graduated from High School in Lynchburg, Virginia. After school Joe accepted a seasonal job in a local cemetery.
Joe was fortunate to meet and catch the attention of cemetery management and subsequently served a 13 year apprenticeship with one of the most accomplished cemetery operators in the nation, Mr. Jim Sperling. Joe received training and gained skills in land surveying, cemetery design, landscape design, horticulture, general construction as well as uncompromised physical operations of cemeteries.

During this time Joe also met his wife, Bonnie, and they were married in 1981.
Joe used his training to the best advantage during his 10 years of employment with ECI Cemetery Services Inc. Joe managed the development and operations over 70 cemeteries across the United States. Most recently, Joe managed groups of cemeteries and a Funeral Home in the Washington D.C. area. While there Joe and Bonnie saw their sons, Curtis and Gary (twins), graduate from High School and then College.

Joe and Bonnie decided to back away from the D.C. rat race when the opportunity to team up with old associates at Legacy Funeral Group materialized. The Thompsons are looking forward to bringing all of their skills and experience to the management and operation of Elmwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park.

Bonnie Thompson
Family Service Manager

Bonnie began her cemetery career February 1979 as the Office Manager of a brand new Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This position eventually led to Family Service Counselor and all phases of cemetery needs both administrative and field. Right in the middle of this 28 year learning experience, was 10 years spent out of the field and into the corporate headquarters side of the cemetery world which exposed us to an entirely different way of looking at things.

So, having walked several miles in what seems to be everybody’s shoes, I’m happy right where I am now. Serving Families and hopefully making a lasting impression on the people I come in contact with on a daily basis, both client and co-workers alike.

Kim Berry
Manager / Funeral Director

Kim grew up in Wink, Texas and came to Abilene in 1985 to attend Abilene Christian University. She lived in Haskell for 12 years where she worked at Holden-McCauley Funeral Home. In 2002 she returned to Abilene and has been a Funeral Director at Elmwood since October of that year.

Kim is a member of the Southern Hills Church of Christ, the Abilene Southwest Rotary Club, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce and was apart of the Leadership Abilene Class of 2006. She is married to Shannon and has two sons, Quentin and Blake.

Lana Williams
Office Manager

Lana Williams, Office Manager at Elmwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park. She is a native of Abilene. Her family moved to Sweetwater, Texas when she was in junior high. She graduated from Sweetwater High and then attended TSTC.

She has worked in the cemetery industry since 1998. She has three sons and a
daughter.

Ken Black
Family Service Counselor

Kenneth W. Black is a licensed Prearrangement Funeral Counselor. He has been with Elmwood since 1999. He is a native of McKeesport Pa. and a graduate of McKeesport High School. He also attended St. Phillips College in San Antonio for 2 years while serving with the U.S. Air Force. Ken is a retired Air Force Master Sargent with two overseas tours in Pakistan and Turkey. He served 18 months as a Four Star Generals Enlisted Aide for the Air Training Commander at Randolph A.F.B, San Antonio, TX. He retired from the Air Force in 1988 and remained in Abilene TX.


Ken is currently divorced with two daughters, Sandra Roys, a Hendrick Hospital Employee and Jennifer Salyers, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield employee. He has three Granddaughters, Lisa Roys, Kelsey Roys and Anicia Salyers.

Ken is an active member of the Abilene Founders Lions Club. He currently serves that group on the Board of Directors. Ken’s hobbies are following NASCAR and Pittsburg Steelers Football.

Reba Boockholdt
Funeral Administrative Assistant

Reba Boockholdt, Administrative Assistant for Elmwood Funeral Home, is a native Texan. Her family moved from Burkburnett to Abilene when she was in junior high school. She graduated from Abilene High School and attended business college. Her career has included working for a law firm and CPA firm.

Reba has one son, Brian Scott of Abilene.