William Edward Gillespie

Beloved husband, father, provider and protector William Edward Gillespie slipped the bonds of mortality, and entered the eternal realm Oct. 15, 2018. He died peacefully at home in Taylor. He was 89 years old.

Surviving him are his spouse of 69 years, Lapriel Owens Gillespie; brother Milton Ardell Gillespie; his daughters, Denise Hall Carpenter (Brian) and Sherilyn Peterson (Kipp); sons Kerrin Edward Gillespie (Karen Lindsey) and Jeffrey Todd Gillespie (Carolyn Seymore), and son-in-law Les Johnson; 88 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by daughter, Loretta "Tink" Johnson, son-in-law George K. Hall, 4 brothers and 3 sisters.

Ed was born Oct. 4, 1929 in Vernon, where he lived throughout his youth. He was an athletic young man, excelling in high school football, but his true love was music. He played the guitar and sang in a country band. He loved to sing for weddings, funerals and family gatherings. He fell head over heels in love with Lapriel and was married to her for time and all eternity Oct. 6, 1949, in the Mesa Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He remained a faithful member and defender of the Church throughout his life.

He served his country in the United States Air Force, having enlisted Nov.1951. He quickly rose to the rank of staff sergeant and was posted in various locations both in the US and around the world. He received an honorable discharge from the Air Force in April, 1956.

Ed spent the years after the Air Force in the home building trade for a number of years as his family was growing, but finally settled on the grocery business. Ed went to meat cutting school in Toledo, Ohio, working first in Show Low and then in Snowflake, where he managed and then purchased the store where he joyfully greeted customers and worked many hours until he retired at 79 years of age. His later years were spent gardening, spending time with his family, and vociferously supporting virtually all televised sports events of BYU. We love him and will miss him.

The Public Viewing and Friends Calling will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, October 25, 2018 at Owens Livingston Mortuary, 84 E. 19 S. in Snowflake, Arizona. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the Silver Creek Stake Center, 309 W Willow Lane in Taylor, where an additional visitation will begin one hour prior. Interment will follow at the Vernon Cemetery.