Sending prayers to the family. I never met Mr. Gookin in person, but I knew him through Senior Friend Finders. He and my late husband, Richard, shared their Military history. 

Carol Chancey

Miss Wild Bill so much ….we had so much fun together

Happy Birthday in Heaven. Love you Mr Bill

Bill,
you were one heck of a friend and you are dearly missed. I remember you and smile. I love you.
Jan

Met Bill at Maybell city park we camp there one or two days when out seeing wild horses for two weeks at a time. Bill saw we had a Scamp camper like his and we would talk about his Scamp and all he was doing with it paint & electrical repares.
We were there just this week and was hopping to see him but Maybell has changed not shure if we will be back wild horses are all rounded up vary few out there and no Bill to talk to.
Sorry to hear of your passing friend.

Minnesota, Scamper
Duane M. Rykhus

Thanks for the memories Bill.......coming from Colorado to take me to the King Tut Exhibit in Atlanta.....the last time we saw each other was at the SFF Chattanooga Gathering.....you are not forgotten.....REST IN PEACE....

Bill Gookin

I met Bill in 1978, when I was 14 years old. At that time he was dating my Mom, Louise. He lived with us for several years back then, and during that time Bill was like a father to me as he taught me how to fish, shoot guns, ride motorcycles, and more. He came to my high school graduation, my college graduation, and many family get togethers over the years. He loved my Mom, and cried at her funeral when she passed in November 2017. We spent Christmas with him at the ranch one year where he was caretaker, in Maybell. We rode our motorcycles from Denver to Los Angeles when I was 16…he would have been 43. We went together to the Denver Pow Wow earlier this year in March…just me, Bill and Donna (my squeeze). He loaded up his big trailer and brought us a bunch of firewood over that same weekend, and he was going to come back this fall with another huge load. We chatted a lot on Facebook messenger when he visited the library in Craig. Sometimes we would chat over the phone just to catch up. He was always like the Dad I never had and he will be missed.

Mark (and Donna) Spina

So sad to hear about my dear friends transition.   Wild Bill was quite a character including cowboy, hunter, ladies man and Indian although don’t know what tribe…. Probably a mix of several….. he could spot a bird or fox hundreds of  feet away when no one else could spot anything.  He could also write the most interesting letters …. Always addressed to me as the S . Mercedes and Squeeze (spouse) … he took me rattlesnake and fox hunting in the dead of winter …. Had to dress all in white or I couldn’t go.  I still have the Indian flints he helped me find.  He will be missed.

One of my favorite pictures of 'Mr Bill'!  💓  We met for the first time in 2011 and became great friends.  He was very intelligent and knowledgeable about so many things!  He was also very sweet, kind and chivalrous.  Love you Bill!  RIP💓

Bill will be missed by so many that knew him. I remember a dance we shared and he told me I'd be a heck of dancer if I'd quit trying to lead, lol. Thanks for your service and your friendship.

One of the good guys! Bill will be missed by many who knew him. God speed and fly high That BillGuy.

Richard Knapp and Carol

I first met Bill in Seattle at an SFF gathering... and then at other gatherings in Nashville.
Bill always was there to help in any way possible, and always with a cheery comment.
We will all miss Bill.  My sincere sympathies to his family and friends.

I will always remember Bill as a forever friend. He was a most kind, caring, fun, unique person. He will be missed so very much by all of us who call him friend in the Senior Friend Finders Group. 
R.I.P. Bill 
Your Friend, 
MichianaRedHead (Cheryl)

Bill was one of those sweet, unforgettable characters that are rare in our lives.   We knew him through SFF, an internet group, and to him, we were "Joe" and "MrsJoe".     We pray the Lord brings peace and comfort to his family and loved ones.


OBITUARY

William Langford Gookin

May 15, 1937 – September 3, 2022

Grant Mortuary & Crematory - Craig

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