William "Bill" Gibson

William “Bill” Gibson, 80, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2016 in Tempe, AZ with his family by his side. Bill was born December 12, 1935 in Glenbar, AZ to Joseph W. and Sarah H. [Kelly] Gibson. In 1953, he met his high school sweetheart, Patricia Ann Turner; the two were later married on June 14, 1958 and together raised three children, William Jr., Daniel and Helen. During high school, Bill was a State Champion Rifleman and belonged to the high school rifle team. In 1954, he graduated from Phoenix Union High School in Phoenix, AZ and Phoenix College in 1957. After graduation Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and proudly served from June of 1954 to June of 1957. Following the National Guard, he enlisted in the U.S Marine Corps and was discharged in March 1959. In his younger years, Bill worked as a mechanic for Jane’s Automotive in Phoenix; he was also very involved in drag racing, built his own rear engine dragster with help from his racing buddies, traveled the Southwest to various races and was very well known within the circuit. As a mechanic, Bill worked on Border Patrol vehicles and was recruited and hired as a Border Patrol Trainee in 1961. He worked his way up to Chief Patrol Agent upon his retirement after 31 years, in December of 1992; during his Border Patrol career, he also worked as an Immigration Inspector and Investigator. Bill was an energetic, fun loving man and enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving and would travel to places such as San Felipe, Lake Isabel and the Atlantic Ocean side of Puerto Rico. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Sarah Gibson; his sister June Gibson; brother Don Gibson and his oldest son William B. Gibson who passed away in 1992. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Patricia Gibson; son Daniel D. Gibson; daughter Helen A. (Tim Chlupsa) Gibson; sisters Lana Shannon and Linda (Preston) Haley; brother, A.C. (Peggy) Thrasher Jr.; five grandchildren, Grace L. Gibson, Joseph E.D. (Samantha) Gibson and Gregory, Tahnee and Grant Gaither; three great grandchildren, Amaya and Holden Perritano and Oliver Gibson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousin and friends. A visitation is Tuesday, August 9, 2016 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with a funeral service on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 10:00am, at Mariposa Gardens Cemetery Chapel, 6747 E. Broadway Rd in Mesa, AZ. Arrangements entrusted to Mariposa Gardens (480) 830-4422