Bill Gillett

William Robert Gillett was born on October 6, 1949 in Whittier California to his parents Bernice and Robert Gillett and his surviving sister Marilyn who now lives In Arizona. Bill as all his friends called him joined the United States Air Force in 1967 and served until 1975 serving his country instead of going to his favorite college of USC. While stationed in Abilene Texas Bill met the love of his life Glenda, who he is now survived by and is still in the city they loved and raised their family in. Glenda is the daughter of Lucilla Bell and Marvin Bell. During Bill and Glenda's love story they had three very loving children Jimmy Turnbow married to Rachel from Arlington, Texas, Cathy Poe who married Jarred and lives in Abilene, and Robert who married Holly and resides in Potosi. Through Bills three children he was blessed with several grandchildren. Jimmy has six girls that he blessed Bill into grandpa hood with Sarah, Emily, Katie, Mary, Grace and Allison. Cathy, gave him Angelique and AnnaBella; and Robert gave him Donovan, Ethan G, Ethan T, River and Kai. Bill was the best dad/grandpa/papa to all of these children. From those Children Sara brought grandpa/papa into great grandpa status with Emma, Norah, Jude, and Rhett. Donovan later gave him Tessa and then Angel gave him his newest great grand baby Theodore. Bill worked many years as a printer after the Air Force. He started at STE printers and then transitioned to Hendricks and retired with them after 22 years. Where he met Ryan Ashford and his loving family and considered Blake and Kailey his adopted grandchildren as well as Jill and her loving family. He never met anyone that didn't become an instant friend like Bobby Hood and his loving family. Bobby's children Matt and Jennifer often referred to Bill as Uncle Bill. Bill loved his family and friends dearly and loved to bring joy and Christmas to everyone. Bill is survived by his Brother in law James Bell from Buchanan, TX. He is survived by his nephew Gary and Danny of California. He is also survived my two nephews Phillip and Michael Bell of Round Rock Texas. He loved the Cowboys and Texas Rangers but more than anything loved USC football. Glenda's Niece Debra and her husband James would often bring up UT to counter his love of USC. But none of those things compared to the love he had for Glenda during their 52-year love story.

A visitation will be 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Monday, November 27, 2023 at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Funeral services will be 12:30 PM, Tuesday, November 28, 2023 in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow the service in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, 7457 W. Lake Road.