Bill my friend, I don't really know how to express my feelings of loss and empathy for your family. High school and the time we hung out together was a lifetime ago but those times are still some of my best memories. Rest In Peace my friend.

Norma and William,
Please know that we are thinking of you, and wishing you peace.

I knew Bill from the time he was with the World Bank.  He was such a fun-loving character...a person with a caring heart and a  jest for life.  We spend many happy times together hiking in the Shanandoah mountains. I will always savor the happy memories of these short moments in life.  May his soul rest in peace...Malcolm Jansen

I met Bill in the 1990s when he and I worked in the same unit at the World Bank. He was always smiling and very obliging.  A great person to be around. My sincere sympathies go out to his family.

william u will be dearly missed forever,your co worker from dd,

I remember sharing many a pint with William, his wonderful parents and his lovely sister and her family. I enjoyed his Gaelic wit and fellowship. He will be well missed. May God ease his family's grief.

I never met Will in real life but we'd been online friends for years. He seemed like an amazing person. Rest in Peace, Will, and maybe we will meet some day. . .

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

I am so sorry to hear that.  I met Bill in a bike ride many years ago with the World Bank team. I hope his family is in peace.

Know you are held in the hearts of many and that William is held in the hands of God.  So sorry, 
Dale and Ellie Chambers

So sad to hear of the passing of Will. We will miss him and wish there had been more opportunity to enjoy his company. His warm, welcoming personality was a pleasure when we met in DC. Quiet, but with a definite twinkle in the eye. I loved to hear him play guitar, and though he wouldn't admit it, I reckon Will understood jazz perfectly and it was great to hear him play. What a lovely soul.

Will was a wonderful man. We knew each other in DC and worked at the World Bank at the same time. We also did the AIDS Ride together from Raleigh NC to DC. He had a great sense of humor and was a truly talented musician. I'll always be grateful to him for giving me jazz. With lots of love, Kir

We had the privilege of meeting William on several occasions - notably, at his father's 80th birthday party -  and, each time, we discovered again his kindness, his personable nature, and his modesty about his own gifts.  What a wonderful musician he was.  What a delightful conversationalist.  What a warm and affectionate son to his parents, and brother to his sister.

All this makes his passing an enormous tragedy, and one which we still struggle to comprehend.  A man of such gifts and love and kindness leaves the world far poorer with his passing.  We know he also leaves wonderful memories for his parents and family.  Indeed his friends and fellow workers in Boca Raton testify to his virtues and his humanity.

It is our belief and prayer that William has now transcended ordinary cares and concerns.  We see him, in our minds, with a fine guitar in hand, singing of love and life and happiness.

William and Norma,
I pray that God will heal your hurt and hearts.

William was such a delight to be with when I visited his parents at our lake community.  He was always so pleasant and witty.  I always enjoyed our stimulating conversations.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, especially his loving parents, his sister and her family.  My deepest sympathy and prayers are with the family!

I have never met William, but I do know his wonderful parents.  How very, very sorry I am for their loss.  My love to all.

I own Ocean Liquors behind Valero Gas Stattion in Boca Raton, FL.  I just have to say that William was a true sweetheart! I bring my three basset hounds to work everyday and William always went out of his way to bring hotdogs for the gang and if he was at Publix, he would always call me and offer to bring me lunch.  He has been in my thoughts everyday.  William will be totally missed.  What a great guy!  Love Donna Merelli

I met Will at the Valero gas station in Boca Raton. He and I became very good friends and had a ball kidding with the other employees. I couldn't believe it when I heard he was ill and passed away so quickly. It was a shock. My prayers and thoughts are with his family and I know that we will all be reunited in heaven together one day and what a glorious day that is going to be! I go to the Valero just about every day because I work just down the road on Palmetto, and it is just not the same without him being there. Miss ya buddy, and God bless his family and friends. Love, Mark Lohmeyer (Boca Raton, FL.)

I also met Will through colleagues at the World Bank and through music we quickly became friends:  for those who knew him, understand that when you met Will, you became his friend, taken by his refined sense of humor, his endless kindness, decency, and humanity.  After his move to Florida, I thought of him from time to time, just as one wonders about a friend, and hoped he would return to our area, so we could rekindle our friendship. For those like myself who where fortunate to know him, I consider his friendship our blessing. At this point, I pray for him, who no one can replace, and whose absence leaves a huge emptiness in our hearts and minds.  I also pray to God to give his family strength overcome such a challenging time and wish them ultimate peace and solace.

His memory will always live in us.

Samey

I knew William for a couple of years in the 1990's at the World Bank as a very friendly and nice guy. So sorry his life has been cut short. Condolences to friends and family.

God needed another angel to help protect and look upon us. Billy will always be with us in heart, mind, and spirit. He will always be loved.

With loving memories, Cousin Nico, Robyn, Rachel and Michael  - Miami, Florida

I have only known William for a year or so but he made me believe we always knew each other for years. He had a good soul and a caring heart, he never knew how to say no.......Not a single bad bone in him.He found so much happiness in the simple things and made me appriciate so many things. The minute he would walk into work it would be non stop laughing until we left, I will miss you my friend, i really will.   ps. till we meet again buddy.

Our family sends love and prayers to the Gillen/ Tierney clan. Billy was a loved brother and son and I wish we could do something to make it less painful. We offer our friendship in any and every way we can be of support to you... any time day or night.  With most sincere regards,
the Augusts.

OBITUARY

William Joseph Gillen III

August 22, 1969 – August 24, 2012

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services