Obituaries: William George "Bill" Gibbs

Longtime Grant County resident and businessman, William George “Bill” Gibbs, died Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006, near Condon. He was 58.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006, at Driskill Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Ira Hodge and Vernon Morris officiating. Interment followed at the Prairie City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Clayton and William Gibbs, Gregg Boethin, Dave Barntish, Hugh Laurance, Stan Bird, Duane Lippert, J. C. Oliver, Dennis Reynolds, Ken Holliday, Dennis Knowles, Leo Wise and Buddy McGirr. Honorary pallbearers were Zane Gibbs, Russell Ricco, Shannon Voigt, Clay Gyllenberg, Brad Rosenberg and everyone else whose life he touched.

Mr. Gibbs was born Jan. 19, 1948, in Prairie City. He moved to Salem with his mother Vivian Ledgerwood Wagner in 1951. He attended grades one through six at Richmond Grade School, grades seven through nine at Leslie Junior High School, and grade 10 at South Salem High School. While living with his father, Robert Clayton Gibbs, near Galena, he attended 11th- and 12th-grades at Prairie City High School, graduating in 1966.

Following high school, he attended Eastern Oregon State College, La Grande, for two years and then Oregon State University, Corvallis, for one year studying chemical engineering. He then moved back to John Day and was employed as a parts salesman by Western States Equipment Company from 1971 to 1974, and by Edward Hines Lumber Company as an office manager from 1974 to 1982.

He married Catherine Ann Ricco May 26, 1973, in Reno, Nev., and they had two sons, George Clayton and William Gene.

On October 1, 1984, he opened his own business, GIBCO Heavy Equipment Parts, at its present-day Canyon City location. On Dec. 1, 1995, he and his wife expanded their business to include the sale of feed and other agricultural supplies. Last spring, they purchased the former Western States building to further expand their store. Along with operating the business, he and his wife farmed on a small ranch west of John Day.

Mr. Gibbs constantly strived to support his local community. He served as Grant County Commissioner from 1995 through 1998 and was also a member of the Grant County Sheriff’s Posse. He was a 35-year Elks member of John Day Lodge No. 1824, BPOE, serving as secretary for 13 years from 1979 to 1992, and then exalted ruler from 1993-1994. In the early 1980s, he volunteered as an EMT with the Grant County Ambulance.

In his younger years, Mr. Gibbs enjoyed rodeo and sports and maintained his love of the outdoors throughout his entire life as an avid hunter and fisherman. He was secretary of the John Day Valley Bass Club and fished, with his son William, American Bass Association team circuit and several open team tournaments. In his spare time, he also loved to read and, whenever possible, play with his granddaughter. Among many things including his love of life, characteristic smile and laugh that could be heard for miles, Mr. Gibbs will be remembered for his strong belief in traditional family values and dedication as an American citizen.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine, of John Day; son Clayton Gibbs and his wife, Karen, of Milpitas, Calif.; son William Gibbs of John Day; one granddaughter, Alexandra Helen Gibbs, of Milpitas, Calif.; his stepmother, Althea Gibbs, of Stanfield; brother, Zane Gibbs of Stanfield; sister, Marcy Rosenberg of Pendleton; brothers- and sisters-in-law, and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Clayton Gibbs, in 1975; his mother, Vivian Ledgerwood Wagner, in 1999; his stepfather, Irving Jacob Wagner, in 2003, and an uncle, Orville Gibbs, in 2002.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Gibb’s memory may be made to the Elks Eye Clinic, Grant County Search and Rescue, Grant County Heritage Foundation or charity of one’s choice through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.