William "Bill" Gailen Mitchell

William “Bill” Gailen Mitchell, 89, of Evansville, passed away Monday, November 24, 2014, at West River Health Campus. He was born February 5, 1925, in Fordsville, KY, to the late Gailen C. and Clydie Mitchell.

He was a US Army Veteran, serving during WWII in the European and Pacific Theatres and reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. He retired from CSX Railroad as a car foreman in 1985 after 38 years. One of the most memorable moments of his career was being in charge of moving the train to the Evansville Museum. Bill was a lifetime member of VFW Post #1114, American Legion Funkhouser #8, AMVETS Indiana Post #9, 40/8 Club, Riverbend Association, and Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. He was past president of the Retired Veterans Memorial Club and Evansville Tri-Council of Clubs. He was also a member of Reed Masonic Lodge 316 and Evansville Scottish Rite. He was a former member of 12th Avenue General Baptist Church and graduated from Reitz High School in 1943.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Mitchell; parents; son, William Floyd Mitchell; grandson, Daniel Lee Werner; and brother, Edgar L. Mitchell.

He was a loving father and grandfather and is survived by his daughters, Gail Werner and Carol Ashmore; son, William J. Mitchell; grandchildren, Billie (Kris) James, Jenny (Michael) Collins, Richard (Sheila) Dauphin, Yvonne (Josh) Robinson, and Bobbi (Roger) Sanders; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Evan, Mackenzie, Audrie, Alexia, Emily, Ginny, Ash, Aiden, Jaxson, and Abigail.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, November 29, 2014, at Alexander West Chapel, officiated by Rev. Terry Gamblin, with burial in Alexander Memorial Park. Full military honors will be performed at the cemetery by the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club. Friends may visit Saturday from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.

The family would like to give a special thank you to West River Health Campus for their care and compassion.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.