Robert James Gillie

He was born January 8, 1931, in Warroad, Minnesota, the first child of Frederick William and Ethel Larson Gillie.

He is reunited in heaven with his wife of nearly 54 years, Nancy Woodcock Gillie in 2011; son, Alan Stephen Gillie in 1985; sister, Joann Krumviede; brother Roger Gillie; and parents.

Bob is survived by sons, Michael (Sue Ann), of Chesterfield VA, and Kevin (Patrice), of Sharonville OH; sister, Janet Eickhoff; and brother, Bruce Gillie; grandchildren Shannon, Rebecca, Christopher (Isabel), and Jackson; great-grandchildren Maya, Beatrice, and Lucy; his in-laws, Wayne and Sue Woodcock, Ernest and Betty Woodcock and Beverly Gillie; and nieces and nephews.

Bob spent his early childhood on the road in Minnesota and Montana while his father worked road construction jobs. The family settled in Williams MN where Fred could join the family businesses and start farming. In high school, Bob excelled in football, band, and especially ice hockey where he led his team, as goalie, to the 1949 MN State Ice Hockey Championship where they finished in second place. After a stint in farming and logging, Bob joined the US Navy in 1951 and advanced to Petty Officer First Class CMG1 in the Atlantic Amphibious Base Little Creek Construction Battalion “The Fighting Sea-Bees.” Among his favorite memories were helping the people of the Greek island Kefalonia after the 1953 Ionian earthquakes and, while on leave, touring Monaco, France, and Switzerland.

Bob met future wife Nancy of Chesterfield, VA while stationed at Little Creek. Her family welcomed him immediately. They were wed in Providence Church in 1957 and settled in Chesterfield in 1960. Bob worked on I 95 with the highway department, then for Reynolds Metals Research. Bob joined IBM in 1968 and retired from there after 25 years of service. After retirement, he worked part-time in computer network installation and in funeral services.

Bob was devoted to his wife and to his sons and their families. Bob and Nancy spent many hours traveling to spend time with family. They especially enjoyed camping when their sons were young and with their families later. He was a member of Providence United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Bob and Nancy helped start and participated in the Providence Bell Choir in memory of their son Alan. He was an accomplished vegetable gardener, automobile and power equipment mechanic, card shark, fisherman (and line de-tangler). He was an original computer geek from IBM mainframes to PC’s and MacBooks. Bob enjoyed participating in Boy Scouts in his youth, as an Assistant Scoutmaster for his sons at Providence, and as an adult leader on Scout outings with his grandsons. Bob enjoyed many musical and marching band activities with his sons and grandchildren.

Bob will be remembered for his garden, technical abilities, helpfulness, service, quiet confidence, and patience.

The family thanks the Cottingham Retirement Community and Hospice of Southwest Ohio for their help and care for Bob.

A visitation will be held at Woody’s Funeral Home, Huguenot Chapel, on November 9, 2023 at 6-8 P.M.

A memorial service will be held at Providence United Methodist Church, 901 S. Providence Rd, Friday, November 10, 2023, at 11 A.M.

Memorial donations can be made to Providence UMC or to a local food bank.