Smsgt USAF (ret)
WWII (USAAF), Korea, Vietnam (USAF)
February 27, 1928 - August 22. 2018
William J. Gillespie died peacefully,at home surrounded by family. Cancer finally caught him, but he drove the wheels off it. He served his family, his community and his country.
His experiences spanned late iron age to early information age: As a child he helped his grandad with his horse-drawn forge as a ferrier; drove the first use of GCA radar for aircraft landing; and designed, installed and managed one of the country's first television cable systems. A 30 year resident of Wytheville, Virginia, he was fondly known as "The Cable Man".
A veteran of three wars, Bill saw the world, from Anchorage, Alaska to Tripoli, Libya.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty P. Gillespie (nee Bowen) and son, Randy.
He is survived by his son, James D. Gillespie and daughter, Tamya D. Thomas, 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
