William Gibson

"Final Crossing of the Bar" – Devoted husband, loving son, idolized brother, beloved dad, adored grandpa and loyal friend, William Harry Gibson, 58, of Ilwaco, WA died April 12, 2008 at his home following a brief and intense battle with cancer. Known to family and friends as "Bill", he was born august 11, 1949 in Tacoma, WA to William R. and Barbara (Phillips) Gibson. Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971 during the Vietnam Conflict as an interrogator and interpreter. He married Linda Nichols on December 23, 1987 of Bend, OR. She resides at the family home in Ilwaco. Bill was Past worthy President of the Fraternal Order of E, Bend, OR Aerie and Past President of the union members at the Chinook Packing Company in Ilwaco, WA. He was an avid and active outdoorsman with hunting and fishing being his favorite activities. While living in Bend, OR he spent many hours looking for that elusive "Brookie" on the Crane Prairie Reservoir and for the monster "Muley" at the family hunting camp in the backcountry near LaPine, OR. With his move to the Chinook/Ilwaco area of southwest Washington, bill once again found his love of saltwater fishing. Bill would spend many hours on his boat "Sky Waters" with his wife in search of the elusive Chinook "King" salmon. When he wasn't fishing or hunting you could usually find him on the golf course. A very accomplished golfer; he was the winner of several local tournaments and a member of the United States golf Association. His family and friends will remember his methodical mind, sense of humor, his love for his family as well as pets "Attla" and little"Bear". In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his mother, Barbara Phillips of Ilwaco, brother, Robert J. Gibson of Puyallup, WA, daughters Michelle Gibson (George Hinton) of Livingston, MT, aunts and uncles, Tom and Jan O'Grady, Ken and Kathy Tiller of Bend, OR, Dick and Yolanda Gibson of Whidbey Island, WA and Gary Gibson of Victorville, CA, nephews, Robert W. and David J. Gibson of Pullman, WA as well as other nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 24, 2008 at Ilwaco Cemetery in Ilwaco, WA with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Center at the Portland Veterans Hospital in Portland, OR or Harbor Home Health and Hospice of south Pacific County C/O Penttila's Chapel by the Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631.