COL Gerald W. Bilderback

Gerald (Gerry) Wayne Bilderback passed away peacefully on Sunday May 7th, 2023. He was 91 years old. He is survived by his beloved wife Roberta, plus 3 children, 2 step children, 5 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his

sister Jane White of Chino Hills CA. He also had a brother; the late Doyle White, and another sister, the late AnnaDell White. He was born on July 6, 1931 in Conway Missouri to the late Gertrude Rader and Kenneth Bilderback. After his father was killed by lightening when he was only two weeks old; his mother eventually moved to Lancaster CA and later married the late Logan White . Gerry graduated from Antelope Valley High School. He was the Student Council President and was on the football team. He later attended and graduated from Antelope Valley Community Collège. He attained his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Central Michigan University. He served in the Army and was sent to Officers Candidate School and spent the next 26 years in the Army in which he attained the rank of Colonel. He served in Korea, Vietnam and in the Pentagon. After his army services; became the Executive Director of the Upper shore Private Industry Council and was involved in creating job service training for under skilled young mothers. It was located at Chesapeake College. After that he became the Executive Director of the Private Industry council in Montgomery Country from which he permanently retired.

Gerry married the former Patricia Steller on November 6th, 1955 in Los Angeles, CA. They were divorced in 1984. They had three children: Cathay Bilderback Miller (Al) of Chester MD; Thomas Bilderback (Ann) of Surf City, NC, and Whitney Bilderback Chellis of Annapolis MD. His grandchildren are Taylor Hutchison ( Patrick)Villagomez of Ft Lauderdale by the Sea, Fl; Jack Hutchison (Crystal) of Carolina Beach NC; Logan Bilderback of Virginia Beach, VA Ethan Bilderback of Surf City, NC and Ben Bilderback of Salt Lake City UT.

In 1991 Gerry married Roberta Bauerfeind Goodman Bilderback. They were married for almost 32 years. He had two step children, Julie Goodman Eich (Andrew) of Hudson, Ohio and Derek Goodman of Denver CO. Gerry also had 3 step grandchildren: Connor, Leyla, and Logan Eich; all of Hudson OH. He and Roberta enjoyed extensive travel to the Caribbean, Europe and especially Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Gerry lived in Annapolis for the past 50 plus years. He was an avid tennis player. He enjoyed boating, fishing, woodworking and built "green" birdhouses out of wine crates. He was known as the "birdman of Annapolis". He also had an extensive bonsai collection.

His Celebration of Life will be held at the John Taylor Funeral home on 146 Duke of Gloucester St. Annapolis MD; on Thursday May 18th from 2-4 and 6-8.

In lieu of flowers; donations in his memory may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, Annapolis MD.