Robert "Bill" William Gibson

Robert William (Bill) Gibson, age 87, of Columbus, Ohio died unexpectedly but peacefully on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, after battling and surviving multiple myeloma for 15 years. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Helen Lucille (Garner) Gibson, a son, Keith, and daughters, Diane (Jeff) Hathcock and Brenda Porter, sister, Judy Harrington, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert H. Gibson, D.O. and Eloise Cornell Smart and two half-brothers.

Bill graduated from Upper Arlington high school, received his undergraduate degree from Capital University and a master degree from Indiana University. He was a licensed social worker and worked in the juvenile court system, the Methodist Children’s Home and Travelers Aid. He was a field/adjunct instructor at The Ohio State University College of Social Work and served as Executive Director of the Association for the Developmentally Disabled (ADD) from 1971 to 1998. He retired to help care for his grandchildren only to be called back to ADD where he served until 2008. He was active in the field of social work and mental disabilities and was instrumental in establishing private residential homes for the mentally disabled in Ohio. He served on many boards and commissions and was a member of many associations.

Bill was active in the church having received a religious studies degree at Albion College early in his career. He served as a lay speaker at Bethel United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School at Meadow Park Church of God. Through the Church of God, he and Helen travelled to Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scotland. Bill enjoyed spending time and caring for his wife, family and pets. He had a great sense of humor and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (themmrf.org).