Obituary of J. William Gillis

J. William “Bill” Gillis J. William “Bill” Gillis passed away in Olympia, Washington on February 14, 2012 after a long battle with cancer. He was born March 12, 1933 to Joseph Henry Gillis and Hazel Fluaitt-Gillis in Spokane, Washington, where he attended Rogers High School and Gonzaga University. He married Kathleen Diane Robinson Warner on September 19, 1968. He was retired from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and U.S. Navy Seabees. Bill attended Westminster Presbyterian Church in Olympia, and was a member of the Moose Lodge in Spokane. He was known for helping others, fixing things, making lists, giving great backrubs, and for his “Bill-isms.” He loved going to his cabin near Chewelah where it was peaceful and quiet, building fires, and puttering around the yard. Bill is survived by his sister, Hazel Irene Gillis Smith; wife, Kathy; sons, William Michael “Bill” Gillis, Gerald Joseph “Jerry” Gillis, and Daniel Jeffrey Gillis; daughter, Jodie Kathleen Gillis-Carter; two stepsons, Robert Warner and Gary Warner; 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Hazel Gillis; grandparents, John Frieze, William Gillis and Florence Rose Gillis, Nelson Patrick Fluaitt and Elizabeth Jane Fluaitt; half brother, Joseph Robert Gillis; and sister, Elizabeth Roslyn Gillis-Davis. The family would like to thank the Group Health and Oncology angels, Radiant Care angels, and Assured Home Health and Hospice angels. Services will be held Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Rd. SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Memorial donations may be made to: - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98501 - Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 1925 Boulevard Rd SE, Olympia, WA 98501 - Assured Home Health and Hospice, 2102 Carriage Dr SW, Bldg. D, Olympia, WA 98502 “Bill-isms” I never get pie! You never can tell the depth of the well by the length of the handle on the pump. No brains, no headaches. Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Take your time going but hurry back. Indian not lost; tepee lost. I have a rusty jack knife. What time do the dancing girls have to leave? And don’t come back! (inside joke) Oh, my hip! Uncle Billfrog Go jump in the lake. Tasty Son of a Gun The get up and go got up and went. Native American Poem Do not stand by my grave and weep, for I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond’s glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn’s rain. Do not stand by my grave and cry. I am not there; I did not die. Please leave memories of Bill or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.