Billy Robert Gillespie

Marion, NC

Billy Robert Gillespie, age 85, of Marion, NC, passed away peacefully, on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Autumn Care of Marion.

Mr. Gillespie was born on January 22, 1932, in McDowell Co., to the late Robert Weldon Gillespie and Sina Jane Presnell Gillespie. He was raised in the Clinchfield Community.

Mr. Gillespie was a Christian man, and was a member of Emanuel Free Will Baptist Church in Nebo. He was retired from Washington Mills, and had been co-owner of Skywatch Satellite, and operated Bill’s Easy Wash for over 20 years.

Mr. Gillespie served his country proudly in the US Marines during the Korean War. He was always faithful, and he always walked with the distinction of a Marine and kept the values instilled in him for his entire life.

He was a loving husband and adored his wife of 36 years, Helen, and was a vigilant caregiver to her during the last 13 months of her life. He was an excellent father and very proud of his two sons, and a devoted brother to his sisters.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Loftis Gillespie; his sister, Nonive Morgan, and his daughter in law, Jackie Parkins Gillespie.

Surviving Mr. Gillespie are his two sons, Mitch Gillespie and wife Barbara, and Keith Gillespie and fiancé Liz Harbin, both of Marion; a sister, Mae Gillespie, of Marion; a sister in law, Wilma Gour of Las Vegas, NV; a brother in law, Jimmy Loftis and his wife Pam, of Marion; a step grandson, Kenny Waycaster and wife Tonya, of Marion; a step granddaughter, Chasity Spake and husband Matthew, of Connelly Springs; two nieces, Jane Oxford of Glenwood, and Linda Lewis and husband, Gary, of Old Fort ; and step great-grandsons, Tucker and Jackson Spake, of Connelly Springs.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, April 17, 2017, at 3:00PM, at Kirksey Funeral Home, in Marion, with the Reverend Ronnie Gentry officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

The family would like to say a special thank you to our Autumn Care Family for the loving care you’ve shown Bill and to Care Partners Hospice and Palliative Care of McDowell and to the staff at Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, for all the years of excellent health care.

Memorials may be to: The Donald E. Davis Memorial Veterans Transportation System c/o The American Legion Post 56, 89 Rose Dr. Nebo, NC 28761

Kirksey Funeral Home has the honor of assisting the Gillespie family with arrangements.