FRANK THOMPSON DIES AT AGE 77 March 17, 1973 Wayne Co. WV  submitted by June Henson     One of this area's most prominently known businessmen, Frank Leslie Thompson, who operated grocery stores in Tug Valley for 43 years before retiring a decade ago, died shortly after 1 a.m. today.  He was 77.      Death came to the veteran grocer and founder of this area's Piggly Wiggly stores at the Riverside Convalescent Home in St. Albans.  His illness dated back to the time of his retirement.      Not only did he establish the Piggly Wiggly business in Mingo County - at one time operating stores in Williamson, Matewan, Delbarton and Kermit - but created the Piggly Wiggly Supermarket which is now located in South Williamson and is one of the largest businesses of its kind over a large trading area.      In addition, Thompson was active in other phases of community activity for many years.  He held various offices in the tug Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Williamson Retail Merchants Association, and served as a director of the National Bank of Commerce.  He was active in the First United Methodist Church and was a member of the Board of Stewards for many years, later transferring his membership to the Memorial United Methodist Church in West Williamson when he moved his residence to Sunset.      He was a native of Wayne County, having been born on Oct. 19, 1895 in the area between Echo and Ft. Gay.  His parents were the late Henry B. Thompson and Mary Hannah Lambert, members of pioneer Wayne County families.      His first venture into the grocery business in Williamson came about 1920, during the post-World War 1 period.  He was a partner in the Thompson and Evans store in Williamson Hollow (Vinson Street).  Later he moved downtown to Second Avenue where he operated a grocery store and then established a cash store on Logan Street.      Thompson then established the first local Piggly Wiggly store and branched out into other such stores in the area during the ensuing years.  Later, he closed or sold the businesses outside Williamson and concentrated on the local Piggly Wiggly store, which, as a supermarket, was operated on Logan Street for a time before moving to South Williamson in a new building.      In October of 1963, Thompson sold his interest in the Piggly Wiggly Supermarket to Curtis E. Jack C. and Ernest L. Smith of Grundy, VA.      Thompson was married to a Wayne County native, the former Mabel Ferguson, who survives.  She is the daughter of the late William K. and Amanda (Trent) Ferguson, lifelong residents of Wayne County. Mrs. Thompson has long been active in church work and is a painter of considerable talent.      Surviving in addition to his wife are three daughters, Mrs. Bert (Clara) Morris of Charleston, Mrs. R. D. (June) Henson and Mrs. G. R. (Janice) Lett, both of Houston, Texas; one son, Clifford E. Thompson of Houston; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.      Other survivors include two brothers, Shirley C. Thompson of Sarasota, FL., and Aubrey G. Thompson of Glenburnie, Md, and seven sisters, Mrs. S. A. (Tina) Stafford of Princeton, the Misses Violet and Blanche Thompson, who own and operate The Book Nook in Williamson, Mrs. Henry (Crete) Wilson of Wayne, Mrs. Clarence (Fay) Noe of Wadsworth, Ohio, Mrs. W. A. (Mary) Pfeil of Rocky River, Ohio, and Mrs. Herbert (Flora) Waite of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  (A brother, John, and a sister, Avonelle, preceded him in death).      The body is at Weaver Mortuary Chapel where friends may call after 2 p.m. today.  It will lie in state at the church one hour before the funeral services.