William "Bill" Gillis was born September 27, 1953 to the late Fletcher and Odile Gillis in Panama City, Florida.
Let's fast forward to adulthood, straight out of high school in the year 1973, Bill joined the Army where he served 4 years. While home visiting with a friend in 1978, he met the love of his life, Terry. The 2 began dating in October of '78 and was shortly married in June of 1979 at Catawba Springs Baptist Church in Brewton, Alabama, which is also the church the couple has raised their 3 children in and are still current active members of. In the year of 1983, the couple welcomed their first-born daughter, Myah, into the world. Close to 2 years later, they welcomed their son, Nathan. Following closely behind Nathan, came the baby of the Gillis bunch, Shanna in 1986.
Bill decided to attend a local trade school for a degree in Paint & Body, which led to his position as a stay-at-home dad and own his own Body Shop at their residence in Brewton. He also worked night shift at the local courthouse in the maintenance department.
During 1990-1991, Bill served his country proudly in the Desert Shield War in Saudi Arabia while being a part of the National Guard Brewton Unit. After the war was over, he then was employed by Pollard- Mccall Junior High School where his parents both had been employed within their life span.
In 2015, focusing on his time with family began. More fishing in his catfish pond, more visiting time with those in the neighborhood that Bill cares so much about, and spending as much time with his wife, 3 children, daughter in love, and 4 grandchildren was his focal point as retirement began.
Towards the end of 2022, Bill began to not feel well, his energy level decreases tremendously, for someone that rode his bike miles at a time and always stayed in shape, this was hard for his family to watch. After several appointments with Doctors, the diagnosis was AFIB. December 15, 2022, the DRs shocked his heart back into rhythm, which shortly after came with the terrifying news that our husband, father, and grandfather, was also battling Alzheimer's Disease.
Though this is hard on his kids and grandkids to watch the changes of moods and daily activities, nothing compares to the hurt his wife of almost 45 years is enduring watching the man she loves so deeply slowly forget things of importance.
We want to come together as a family to help raise awareness and finances for Alzheimer's Association in hopes that SOON there will be a 100% CURE for this awful disease that not only our loved one is battling, but so many others as well.
THANK YOU FOR READING AND BEING APART OF OUR STORYIN
FISHING FOR A CURE FOR BILL GILLIS!!!
Bill, Terry, Myah, Nathan, Ashley, Shanna, Alexus, Jay, Wyatt, & Natalynn Grace
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