William L. Gaither age 86, of Williamsville, IL passed away on December 25, 2009 at St. John’s Hospice in Springfield, IL.
Survived byWife : Jeanne
Children : Lynne ( Robert) Sagle of Williamsville
Stephen (Bridgette) Gaither of Weatherford, TX
Brothers : Donald (Laura) Gaither of Godfrey
Robert (Fay) Gaither of Taylorville
Sister – Mary Alice Collins of Fairfield
Four Grandchildren : Kristine Salter
Kendra (Chris) Schulbach
Brandy Gaither
Bryan Gaither
Six Great Grandchildren
Several Nieces & Nephews
Bill was born September 29, 1923 in Fairfield, IL the son of William and Mary Walker Gaither.
Bill and Jeanne married August 18, 1946.
He is preceded in death by a son Martin, his brothers, Francis, Earl and Roy Gaither, sisters, Lillian Hedrick, Wilma Gaither, Helen Gaither, Evelyn Morell, Jean Elkins and his parents.
Bill began a long career in education first as a teacher in a one room country school. He later taught high school agriculture. He served as a principal, then as superintendent at Williamsville, District 15. He retired from the Illinois State Board of Education.
Bill served in the Army Air Corp during World War II in the south pacific.
He is a member of Williamsville United Methodist Church and a 57 year member of the Masonic Lodge #206 in Fairfield, IL.
Visitation will be held Monday December 28th from 4:30 PM until 7:00 PM at Mott & Henning Funeral Home in Athens.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 AM at the Williamsville United Methodist Church in Williamsville.
Rev. Dick Piscatelli officiating.
Burial will be held at a later time at Fancy Creek Cemetery near Sherman.
Memorials: Williamsville United Methodist Church or Charity or Choice.
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Posted December 27th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Jean, Lynne and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. May God give you strenght and comfort to get through the days ahead. Bill will be greatly missed,he was a wonderful man. If there is anything we can do please let us know. We are so sorry for your loss.
Posted December 28th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
My sympathy and prayers. I remember Mr. Gaither with great respect and Lynn with great affection.
Sincerely, Alana (Bottorff) Wachtel
Posted December 29th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Jeane and family. On behalf of my father Robert Williamson, Patti and I want to extend to you our heartfelt sympathy with the loss of Mr. Gaither. As my high school principal, he was more than fair and always friendly. I have great memories of that special time. We are out of town and unable to be with you at this time. Neil & Patti Williamson
Posted December 30th, 2009 at 9:10 am
He will always be remembered as you share the stories and the memories of how he lived his life and how very much he meant, may you find comfort…And, throughout this difficult time, may you also know the deep sympathy and concern that is felt for you and all your family. I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith.-2Timothy 4:7. As for me, I will lie down that I may sleep; I shall certainly awake, for Jehovah himself keeps supporting me. -Psalms 3:5
Posted January 1st, 2010 at 3:04 pm
You have my most sincere condolences. Mr Gaither and my dad, Ellis, always got along so well when we lived in Williamsville. Our family had great respect for him as our superintendent and as a man of honor.
Joyce Smith Lanier (Ellis Smith family)