William T. Gilles' Obituary
William T. Gilles, age 84, of Amherst passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at his home surrounded by his beloved wife and loving family.
He was born on April 5, 1931 in Lorain, Ohio to William and Elizabeth (nee Kuraczi) Gilles and was a 1949 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy. William was a graduate of the very first graduating class of Lorain County Community College. He also received a Masters Degree in Watchmaking in Pittsburgh. PA. While employed by Ford Motor Company, he furthered his education, enrolling in the Company’s Continuing Education Program, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from John F. Kennedy College, of Wahoo, Nebraska.
William served in the US Army as a Military Policeman with the 45th division in Korea from 1951- 1953. He made his career as a Superintendent in material handling with the Ford Motor Company, Lorain retiring in 1988 after 25 years of service.
He started CYO football at St. Joseph, Amherst, and was active as a coach and athletic director for 45 years. He enjoyed bowling and golf and was a member of the American Legion #118, the Knights of Columbus, Knights of St. John and the Amherst Golden Agers. He and his wife, Dolores, loved boating, polka dancing, visiting Florida in the winter months and sailing on the 25 cruises they took together. William and Dolores traveled many miles over the years attending their grandchildren’s sporting events. They never missed a game and attended over 1,000 football games, 900 hockey games and numerous basketball, soccer, baseball and rugby games.
In 1972, William was the recipient of the Journal’s Outstanding Citizen Award, in recognition of the quiet kind heroism that makes life a little happier for those around you.
William was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Amherst where he served as an usher and altar server.
He is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart of 62 years, Dolores (nee Dabelko); sons, John (Deb) (and the late Vicki,), Len (Kathy), and Bill (Debbie); daughter, Cynthia (Gene) McGuire; grandchildren, Dan Gilles, David (Rachel) Gilles, Vikki Gilles, Katy (Rick) Moore, Joshua (Elizabeth) Gilles, John (Laura) Gilles, Ben and Bryan Gilles, Stephen (Lora)Williams, Michael McGuire, Ben and Tim Nelson, and Mike and Jill DiFilippo and Maria Miller; and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth; and his sister, Geraldine Denger.
The Gilles family will receive friends on Friday, October 2, 2015 from 2:00 -4:00 and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Closing prayers will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3rd. in the funeral center followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. Rev. Fr. Timothy O’Connor, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.
The family suggest contributions be made in memory of William to the Community Foundation of Lorain County, in the name of William T. Gilles, 9080 Leavitt Road, Elyria, OH 44035 or to St. Joseph CYO program.
Online condolences may be left for the Gilles family at www.dovinreberjones.com
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