William F. Gilson

William F. Gilson Bill Gilson, of Ellen's Home and formerly of Random Lake, passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday morning, October 2, 2015 at Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Port Washington. He was 69 years old. William was born April 25, 1946 in Milwaukee, the son of Francis and Dorothy (nee Grosklaus) Gilson. He was a gentle, kind and content spirit with strong faith. In his youth, he spent many hours helping in his father's business, Gilson Shoe Store in Random Lake. Upon graduating from Random Lake High School in 1964, Bill worked at Simplicity Manufacturing of Port Washington for over 30 years. Bill traveled extensively, touring much of the US. He visited Europe, Mexico, South America and cruised the Caribbean Islands. Collecting and building model cars was one of his favorite pastimes. Bill had an uncanny gift of identifying any make and model of car. He enjoyed driving classic cars in local parades and often reminisced of chauffeuring family members in his 1963 Beetle and his 1969 Mustang. He had a fondness for Cadillac automobiles. Bill also enjoyed watching all Wisconsin sports teams, bowling, going out to eat, and listening and dancing to a variety ...[more]

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music. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Random Lake since childhood and a former member of the Holy Name Society and the Random Lake Fire Dept. Since moving to Ellen's Home of Port Washington in the last few years, Bill frequently worshipped at St. Peter of Alcantara Catholic Parish in Port Washington. William is survived by his two brothers Jim (Carol) Gilson of Plymouth, Tom (Lee Anne) of Waldo, three sisters: Barbara (Jeff) Anzia of Belgium, Ruth (Fritz) Blazel of Newburg and Liz (Tom) Alexander of West Bend. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, dear friends including Jim Mayer and Leon Jacoby, and the staff and friends he made at Ellen's Home. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Gregory Feider and his niece, Renee Feider Alexander. A Memorial Service celebrating Bill's life will be held at 6PM on Friday, October 9, 2015 at Eernisse Funeral Home, 1600 W. Grand Ave. in Port Washington. Deacon Gerald Malueg will officiate. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Friday from 3-6 PM. Bill will be laid to rest beside his parents at St. Mary's Cemetery in Random Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Random Lake Fire Department or the Random Lake Historical Society. The Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. The Gilson family wishes to extend its gratitude to the staff of Ellen's Home and the third floor staff of Aurora Medical Center in Grafton.