William L. Gear

William “Bill” L. Gear, 94, passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at Providence St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia Washington. Bill was born to Jonathan C. and Dora E. Ludlow Gear in Fairbury, Nebraska on November 19, 1924. Bill was the youngest of their five children. He grew up in Fairbury, Nebraska, graduating from Fairbury Senior High in 1943 where he played football and basketball. He continued his studies after the war at the University of Nebraska.

Bill served his country honorably in the United States Army Air Corps in 1943-1945. He was assigned to the 323rd Bomb Group of the 455th Bomb Squadron, as a tail gunner flying in a Martin B-26 Marauder during WWII. Campaigns: Rhineland; Ardennes - Battle of the Bulge; Central Europe, he flew in 33 missions during the war. During this time he was awarded with 3 Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal and an Air Medal.

He was the lucky guy to marry Helen V. Sanderson-Sykes on June 3, 1949 and adopted her son Walter. Bill and Helen had four more children, Marilynn, Sandra, Cynthia and Steven. They lived in Vancouver, Washington until 1964 when they moved to Olympia, Washington.

Bill had a rewarding and fulfilling career as an engineer for Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Co. He retired in 1984 after 36 years of service. He was a member of The Telephone Pioneers, First United Methodist Church, The Elks and VFW.

He had a passion for golf and lived on the Capital City Golf Course for 40 years where he enjoyed playing golf daily. An avid golfer, Bill also enjoyed bowling, dancing and a good card game with friends. He enjoyed all sports and was a devout Nebraska Cornhusker fan. “GO BIG RED”!

Bill had a zest for life with a twinkle in his eyes, he loved his family dearly. He is survived by his special friend, Julainne Morgan of Olympia, sons; Walter C. (Randye) Gear of Vancouver, William Steven (Kim) Gear of Puyallup, daughters; Sandra E. (Roger) Allen of Olympia, and Cynthia A. (Tom) Fleener of Olympia, son-in-law; Michael McManus, of Tumwater, nine grandchildren; Desirae, Derek, Damon, Jennifer, Rachel, Janelle, Julia, Whitney and Ian and five great-grandchildren; Torey, Tawna, Orion, Parker and Lexi. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Helen V. Gear and daughter Marilynn J. McManus.

Funeral Services will be held at Mills & Mills Funeral Home, 5725 Littlerock Road S.W., Tumwater, on Saturday, February 2, 2019 beginning with a visitation at 1:00pm, Service at 2:00pm, Graveside at 3:00pm, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Olympia.