Joseph William Gilbert Jr.

Joseph William "Bill" Gilbert, Jr., 94, died on June 12, 2017 at home in Kansas City surrounded by his family. Born in Kansas City, he was the only child of Mildred Fowler Gilbert and Joseph William Gilbert, Sr. Bill joined his father in the restaurant business in 1945 at the Kansas City Municipal Airport. He and his father co-founded Gilbert-Robinson Inc. on June 8th, 1968 with partner Paul Robinson. Bill went on to become Chairman and CEO of the company, developing restaurants and hotels across the United States. He was Vice Chairman and CFO when W.R. Grace acquired the concern in 1978.

Bill has been widely recognized for helping build the American casual-dining concept through restaurant chains such as Houlihan's and Bristol Seafood Grill. Some of their hotels and restaurants include Country Club Plaza landmarks Plaza III restaurant, The Raphael Hotel and Alameda Plaza Hotel. Bill married Lynne Dodson in 1974 and the couple has two children, Blair Roberts Gilbert and William Cooper Gilbert. Bill will be remembered for his innate kindness, wonderful sense of humor and living positively every day to its fullest.

Services will be held on Thursday, June 22nd at 4pm at Second Presbyterian Church, 318 East 55th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64113. There will be a brief reception held at the Church following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association Educational Foundation located at 1417 West 47th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64112. Condolences may be made at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com