William (Bill) Gamble was born on March 16, 1938 in Monticello, Minnesota to Carl and Sophia Gamble. He died on March 28th after spending 3 years on hospice care. He graduated from Howard Lake High School, and went on to earn a B.A. from Hamline University in 1960. While attending Hamline, he met his wife Patricia Lindsey, and they were married in 1962. The couple spent 6 years in California where their oldest daughter, Pam, was born. Bill started work in finance before deciding to go into teaching. He earned his teaching certificate at the University of California Riverside. He soon felt the pull to return to Minnesota and his roots, where he was hired to teach Social Studies and Psychology at Anoka High School. Bill loved teaching and working with young people, and over the course of his 31 years of teaching he was known as a dynamic and engaging educator. He later earned his MEd from the University of Minnesota.
Bill was an avid gardener; he could coax any kind of flower, tree, or vegetable to grow and flourish. He loved to travel and camp with his family, and he enjoyed playing every type of cards and beating anyone who would take him on. Bill was a people person; he took great pleasure in meeting new people and having meaningful conversations with family, neighbors, and anyone he met while traveling. After retiring, Bill continued to explore his passions of gardening, woodworking, painting, and creating beautiful stained glasswork. In the months leading up to Christmas, Bill’s workshop cranked into optimal productivity: toy cars, trains, and planes, book shelves, nativity scenes, grandfather clocks, stained glass, and even intricate animal scenes became one of a kind gifts that we all treasure to this day. This was one of the many ways that Bill showed his love for others.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Kenneth and Melvin, and his Granddaughter, Eva Schrank. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Lindsey) Gamble, his children Pamela (Rich) Witalka, Nancy Schrank, and Scott (MiKayla) Gamble, his sister in law, Donna Lindsey, by his six grandchildren Kim (Josh) Weber, David (Theresa) Witalka, Sarah Witalka, Calvin Schrank, Chloé and Luke Gamble, great grandson Wyatt Weber, and by several nieces and nephews.
Bill will be greatly missed by his family and everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. We would like to offer our heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Personal Care Senior Living in Andover as well as to the wonderful people at Interim Hospice Care for the kindness and love they showed Bill and our entire family through these last difficult years. Visitation will be held from 10-11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16th at First Baptist Church in Anoka, and a Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00. A light luncheon will be held after the service.
