Bill Gibson, 91

William F. Gibson, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, July 8, 2013, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.

He was born May 28, 1922, in Coldwater, a son of the late Frank and Rosetta (Byers) Gibson.

Mr. Gibson resided in Sturgis for more than 60 years.

On Sept. 7, 1940, he married Mabel J. Granger in Bryan, Ohio. She died April 21, 1989.

Bill was a truck driver by trade, retiring from Key Line Freight in Grand Rapids after more than 40 years of dedicated employment. Following his retirement, he drove part-time for Penske Leasing in Elkhart, Ind., for several years.

He was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis and Deacon Jerry Mix Council #2508 Knights of Columbus. Bill also was a member of Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW, Loyal Order of Moose #574, Eagles Lodge #1314 and he loved to fish.

Mr. Gibson was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, earning the rank of private first class.

He is survived by a daughter, Sharon Blankenship of Hudson, Ind.; a son, Larry (Mona) Gibson of McKinney, Texas; six grandchildren, Kellie Gibson, Karrie Davenport, Kevin (Marianne) Gibson, Kurt Gibson, Richard “Flip” (Lisa) Samuels and Ryan Samuels; 11 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; five sisters, Dorothy Hughes of Zephyrhills, Fla., Lillian Anslinger of Lake Placid, Fla., Vivian Quimby of Quincy, Carol McRae of Quincy and Bonnie VanHorn of Alma; four brothers, Paul Gibson of Bronson, Norman Gibson of Coldwater, David Gibson of Montgomery and Jerry Gibson of Huntington, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Helen Eyre; and two brothers, Robert Gibson and Earl Gibson.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no visitation. Private burial will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis, where full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard. A memorial Mass celebrating the life of William Gibson will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Father German Perez-Diaz will officiate.

Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, is entrusted with the arrangements.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Gibson’s memory consider Heartland Hospice.

His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.