WILLIAM CHARLES GILBERT

William C. "Bill" Gilbert, 81, of Panama City passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 17, 2007. He was born on November 16, 1925 in Jackson County, Florida. He loved God and his country. He proudly served in World War II and the Korean War and completed over 30 years of public service with various law enforcement agencies. An avid sportsman, he loved spending time outdoors quail hunting and fishing. Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church of Panama City where he served as Director of the Cornerstone II Sunday School Department. He was a loving, caring and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He is survived by his wife of 56 loving years, Frances Gilbert; his daughter Joy Bates and husband Bob of Lynn Haven, FL; his son Bill Gilbert and wife Kathy of Roswell, GA; his grandchildren Jennifer Bates of Lynn Haven, FL; Erin, Jordan and Carlyn Gilbert of Roswell GA; his sister Myrtle Howard of Marianna, FL; his sister-in-laws Florence Gilbert and Addie Ruth Gilbert of Panama City, FL and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 20, 2007, at First Baptist Church of Panama City with the Reverend Clyde Ellison officiating. Interment will follow at the Parker Cemetery. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are Bill Adams, Bob Bates, Chalmos Earnest, Ed Grant, Jack Hagler, Tony Harper and Grover Holland. Honorary pallbearers and special friends: Cornerstone II Sunday School Department, Tommy Davis, Dr. William Dent, Charles Hall, Ellsworth Harvey, Harold Hinote, Conley Kennison and Harlan Wilson. The family will receive friends at Wilson Funeral Home, Friday, January 19, 2007, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Panama City "Run the Race" Building Fund, P.O. Box 1200, Panama City, FL 32401. The family wishes to express special gratitude to Hospice of the Emerald Coast and his caregivers at Gulf Coast Medical Center.

Wilson Funeral Home