Billie J. Gauntlett

Gauntlett, Billie Jay “Bill”, 91 of Orlando passed away on March 9, 2012. He was born March 27, 1920 in Milan, Michigan. Bill graduated from Milan High School, graduated from Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan) with an education degree. He completed a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at Wayne State. As a Clinical Psychologist, he began his career teaching, but like so many young men – went to war. He served in the Army Air Corps and was truly part of the Greatest Generation! Following World War II, he married his sweetheart, Mary Elizabeth “Beth”. They settled in Wayne, Michigan where Bill worked at the VA Hospital helping war veterans find jobs and then for Ford Motor Company. After moving to Florida with Martin Marietta Co., he then went to work for Orange County Public Schools as an Assistant Director of Mid Florida Technological Schools.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beth, and children Jeff (Debbie) Gauntlett, Susie (Mark) DiDea, and Pete (Margaret) Gauntlett. He was so proud of his grandchildren Kim (Leith) Harrell, Jennifer (Leonard) Beverly, Chris Gauntlett (fiance Jennifer), Brian DiDea, Katie DiDea and Ben Gauntlett. His legacy continues with five great-grand daughters.

Bill loved his family, fishing, boating, woodworking and swapping stories with his friends at Westminster Towers, where he was in residence since 2007. He was blessed to have known Helen Keller while working with blind WWII veterans. He was extremely proud of his sons’ Boy Scout, Marine Corps and law enforcement careers.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 1 PM in the Chapel of Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home, Curry Ford Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boy Scouts of America or Cornerstone Hospice. Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.