BILL GILLESPIE, Sr. TITUSVILLE

William George "Bill" Gillespie, 85, died at home on Thursday, November 6, 2008.

Bill was born in Locustdale, Pennsylvania on May 23, 1923. He spent his early years in Bloomsburg, PA, graduating from Bloomsburg High School and Bloomsburg State Teachers College, now Bloomsburg University.

Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific Theater of World War II.

He began his career as a Quality Assurance Engineer with U.S. Radium Corp. in Pennsylvania. He and his family then moved to Florida where he worked in the aerospace industry on the Apollo program at Kennedy Space Center. On its completion he began work for Florida Power and Light from which he later retired after 12 years.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Titusville, FL and a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge #436, in Bloomsburg, PA.

Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Alberta "Bertie" Gillespie; sons, William G. "Bill" Gillespie, Jr. and his wife Karen, and Charles "Chip" Gillespie, all of Titusville. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tyler Christian Gillespie and Marissa Nicole Gillespie. Also surviving is a brother, James Patrick Gillespie and his wife, Marge, and many nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his son, Paul Christian Gillespie; his sister, Beatrice Wilhelmina; and brother, Joseph Clarence.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 15, 2008 at First United Methodist Church in Titusville. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of St. Francis.

Please sign Bill's guestbook at www.northbrevardfuneralhome.com.