William R. “Bill” Gillespie
March 16, 1949 ~ March 8, 2024
William R. “Bill” Gillespie passed March 8, 2024 surrounded by family and friends and in the loving care of Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson County and Abilene Memorial Hospital staff who treated him like family. Bill was born March 16, 1949 in Marysville, Kansas the son of Robert U and Ethel E. (Brandt) Gillespie. After living briefly in Waterville, his family moved to Abilene and he attended local schools. After graduating Abilene High School in 1967, Bill’s work centered around his passion of cars and automotive repair including Sinclair/Ambulance Service for True Meserve, John’s Conoco (now John’s Service) for John Dunlap, Civil Service at Fort Riley, Service Manager at Green Ford, Owner of Bill’s Kerr McGee, and Owner of Bill’s Texaco. During retirement, he worked part-time for NAPA Auto Parts. In all of this work, he enjoyed being helpful and making friends along the way.
Bill enjoyed camping and boating, was a proud sponsor of youth baseball teams, was active in Masonic Lodge #559, was an ambassador for Isis Shrine, serving in the Clown Unit, and Member of Elks Lodge #1675. Bill attended the Demolition Derby reunion in 2014 and was proud to share his 1978 Championship stories with his grandkids.
Bill married Thelma Dolton in 1970, later divorcing. Bill married Cindy Atkinson in 1998. Bill is survived by son Rob Gillespie (Rhonda) of Lawrence and their children Jacob Gillespie and Jenna Gillespie; daughter Lori Wilson (Brad) of Tonganoxie and their children Brandon Wilson and Kate Wilson and his sister Lola Needham (Wade) of Abilene. He was preceded in death by two infant brothers, his parents, wife Cindy, and sister Charlotte (Reeves) Larson.
A Celebration of Life will be held March 17, 2024 from 2:00-4:00 PM at Abilene Senior Center, 100 N. Elm St. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in his name to Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson County or Abilene Senior Center in care of Danner Funeral Home, 501 N. Buckeye, Abilene, Kansas 67410.
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