Walter E. "Dempsey" Gill (1925-2010)
GILL, TOMLINSON, BELKNAP, CONWAY, RIESSELMAN, GILL, GRANGE, MARKS
Posted By: Tri-County Times
Date: 5/22/2010 at 22:54:17
THE TRI-COUNTY TIMES, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, May 20, 2010.
Walter E. Gill, “Dempsey” as he was known by all family and friends around Cambridge, died peacefully at the age of 84 in Littleton, CO. on April 29, 2010. Walter was born to Roy Gill and Mary Ann Tomlinson Gill on May 24, 1925 in Cambridge, Iowa. Walter was the sixth of eight children and the second of two boys. Walt joined the Navy at the age of 17 exactly 6 months to the minute after Pearl Harbor was attacked, part of the Avenger Squadron. Walt served in the Navy for 21 years and 6 months, starting his naval career onboard the USS Thomas Jefferson APA30, landing at Normandy on D-day, and finishing his naval career as a Company Commander at Great Lakes Training Center, pushing through 7 companies, turning young men into sailors, he retired in 1964. He also worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard retiring for good in 1980. Walter was married to Benita B. Belknap of Bellingham, WA. Walt and Benita lived in Bremerton for all 37 years of their marriage. Benita preceded him in death on January 7, 2009.
Walt had a passion for fishing, hunting, and gardening his entire life. He was known for his generosity and we always enjoyed the salmon he caught (and smoked) and the vegetables he grew. He was a past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and member of the VFW, Poogie Club, and was a Kitsap Golf & CC social member. Walt is survived by two sisters, Grace Conway of Boone Iowa, & Ada Riesselman of Carroll Iowa, his three children, LeRoy Gill of Chesapeake, VA, Dixie Grange of Littleton, CO and Bonnie Marks of Las Vegas, NV. He is also survived by five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A military service was held on May 10th at 11:15 at Logan National Cemetery in Littleton, CO.
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