William 'Bill' Jessie Gilland

William “Bill” Jessie Gilland, 82, of Othello, died Thursday November 18, 2010, at his home in the Coventry House.

Bill was born on December 30, 1927 in Bradleyville, MO to Joe and Delpha (Floyd) Gilland. As a young man he moved with his family to Selah, WA. He worked in the warehouses, in the hop fields and in the apple harvest. In 1947 Bill enlisted in the US Army and served in Europe. During that year he met Gretchen Brooks. They married on February 9, 1948. Bill was honorably discharged from the military in 1950. He started a trucking company in Selah, hauling topsoil. In the mid 1960’s Bill and Gretchen moved to Othello where he continued his trucking company but also opened a rock crushing company that produced drainage rock. Bill drove truck his entire life. One of his favorite past times was to go truck shopping. At one time he owned and operated 7 trucks. He retired in 1996.

Bill and Gretchen shared many passions, first was always each other and their family, fishing, snow mobiling and motor home camping. He belonged to a motor home club. He was a life time member of the V.F.W.

He was preceded in death by a grandson John. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Gretchen of Othello, his daughters Judy (Tom) Warren of Mattawa and Hallie Miller of Othello, his sons Jerry (Sue) Gilland and Hershel (Denice) Gilland both of Othello, a sister Delores Blaine of Puyallup, a brother Lee Gilland of Selah, 6 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A time for final visitation will be held at Stevens Funeral Chapel on Monday November 22, 2010 beginning at 4:00 PM and continuing until 7:00. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Tuesday November 23 at 1:00 PM at the Stevens Chapel.