Obituary of William Gilbert

William F. Gilbert Elmira: Age 84, was reunited with his beloved wife, Alice, on October 1, 2010. He is survived by his 5 children, Mary Ann (Jay) Johnston of Brockway, PA, Terri (Jim) Auckland of New Market, VA, Susan (Tim) Krotz, of Anaheim, CA, Bill (Amy) Gilbert of Bentley Creek, PA and Michael Gilbert of Auburn, NY; 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; as well as sisters, Jane Blanchard and Marlene Shutts; brother W.H. Gilbert, and many nephews and nieces. Bill joined the US Marine Corps at age 17 and served his country in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was stationed on the USS Ticonderoga aircraft carrier as a Machine Gunner. The ship experienced heavy fighting and survived both torpedo and kamikaze attacks as well as a typhoon that destroyed other US ships. He was on board the Ticonderoga in Tokyo Harbor during the bombing of Hiroshima and was among the first Marines to go ashore on the Pacific Islands to notify Japanese soldiers that the war had ended. He later re-enlisted and served in the Korean War. Bill married Alice Diveny on June 28, 1946. In addition to raising their family, they enjoyed golfing together and Bill won many local golf and bowling championships. During his career, he worked in the roofing industry, then at Kennedy Valve and later became a mold maker at Thatcher Glass. After his retirement from Thatcher, he worked as the starter at Soaring Eagles Golf Course for 25 years. A long time contributor to youth sports in Elmira, Bill coached Small Fry football for 25 years as well as serving on the Board of Directors. He was inducted into the Elmira Sports Hall of Fame in 1974 as a contributor. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, corner of Water and Walnut Sts., on Sunday, October 3, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 12:15 p.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Church at 1:00 p.m. Military honors will be held outside the church immediately following the mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bill's memory made to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 E. Corning Road, Corning, NY 14830.