William "Bill" Robert Gillespie, Sr.

Obituary: William Robert (Bill) Gillespie, Sr., age 83, died Sunday, July 29, 2012 at his home after a period of declining health. He was born August 10, 1928 in Mecklenburg County, NC, the son of the late Pearl Gillespie Beaver Smith. Bill was employed with the former Cannon Mills Company, Plant #1, Cutting Room for many years until his retirement. He was a member of Landis Baptist Church, Landis, NC. His is fondly remembered for his love of fishing and woodcrafts. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served from 1955 to 1957. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Frank and Nina Jane Morris. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, August 2, 2012 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Billy Honeycutt. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home prior to the service. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Willie Mae Barnette Gillespie; two sons, Donnie Reid Gillespie & wife, Donna of Rockwell, NC and William R. (Bob) Gillespie, Jr. of Kannapolis, NC; two grandchildren, Brooks Murphy and Nicholas Gillespie; and a great-grandchild, Travis Murphy. Memorials may be made to Landis Baptist Church, 110 N. Kimmons Street, Landis, NC 28088 or Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care, 720 Grove Street, Salisbury, NC 28144. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 12:30PM - 2:00PM Thursday August 2, 2012 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00PM Thursday August 2, 2012 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park