WILLIAM R. “BILL” GILLISPIE 1926-2020

William Royce Gillispie, one of seven children of Delbert and Fairy (Harvey) Gillispie, was born September 16, 1926 in Auburn, Nebraska. The family moved to Wyoming and Iowa in Bill’s early childhood before returning to Auburn where Bill would attend school.

On February 26, 1945, Bill entered the United States Navy. Bill served his country in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre during World War II. On July 17, 1946, he was honorably discharged.

On April 20, 1949, Bill was united in marriage to Marcelle Henderson at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn. The couple would be blessed with seven children: Rich, Mike, Cathy, Mark, Tom, Dave, and Tim.

After his discharge from the Navy, Bill returned to Auburn where he began work building levees along the Missouri River by Peru; this was the beginning of a long career with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Bill was part of the Missouri River Division of the Corps, working out of Omaha, Yankton and Mobridge, South Dakota, and then back to Omaha, before retiring in 1985. After retiring, Bill and Marcelle moved back to Auburn where Bill drove school buses part-time for the Auburn School District.

Bill became a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn shortly before his marriage to Marcelle. Bill was an active member of the church, volunteering his time to place the American Flags at the Holy Cross Cemetery for many years, a job he took very seriously. Bill enjoyed traveling in his RV, and loved taking road trips, often taking the back roads as a “short cut” that ended up being not so short. Bill also enjoyed visiting with people; he was a part of several coffee groups, meeting a couple times each day.

On February 6, 2020, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in Auburn, having reached the age of 93 years, 4 months, and 21 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marcelle, brothers Harvey, Cecil Ray, Robert, James, and sister Barbara.

Surviving are his children and spouses Rich of Cameron, Missouri, Mike (Mike) of Tucson, Arizona, Cathy (Russ) Eads of Lenexa, Kansas, Mark (Lance) of Rancho Mirage, California, Tom of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dave of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Tim (Ann) of Urbandale, Iowa; 6 grandchildren; sister Velda Higgins of Newton, Kan.; brother-in-law Steve Henderson of Tucson, Ariz.; other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Father Karl Millis, was Friday, February 14, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn. Barb Billesbach was accompanist for congregational singing and a solo by Zac Zacarola. Honorary bearers were Steve Henderson, Larry Henderson, Marvin Behrends, and Bill’s beloved coffee group at Café Metro.

Burial of ashes followed in Holy Cross Cemetery near Auburn with graveside military honors provided by American Legion Post #23 and the U.S. Navy Honors Detail.

Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.

Nemaha County Herald

PO Box 250
Auburn, NE 68305
PH: (402) 274-3185
FAX: (402) 274-3273

WILLIAM R. “BILL” GILLISPIE 1926-2020 | The Nemaha County Herald

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