William Stanley Folsom Gillette Jr.

Funeral Service for William S. Gillette Jr. age 81 formally of Clearwater, Nebraska will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 29, 2024 at Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 29, 2024 an hour before the Funeral Service at the Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Clearwater Cemetery with Military Rites by Clearwater American Legion and Son of Legion Post #267.  Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater is handling the arrangements.  William passed away on January 24, 2024 at Norfolk Veterans Home in Norfolk, Nebraska.  Condolence maybe directed to www.snidermemorialfh.com

     William Stanley Folsom Gillette Jr. was born to William Sr. and Vernie (Miller) Gillette on April 7, 1942 at Dewitt Hospital in Waynesville, Missouri.  William was baptized on August 7, 1964 at 63rd Infantry Church Chapel in Fort Leonard in Wood, Missouri.

     William was raised and attended various grade schools in Kansas.  His high school years were 1957 - 9th grade in Page, Kansas, 1958 - 10th grade in Almena Kansas, 1959 - 11th grade in Plattsmouth, Nebraska and he graduated in 1960 from Hubbard Nebraska.  William’s father was a superintendent so they moved to a number of different schools.

     On December 8, 1964, William enlisted in the US Army and stationed various locations and  he received an Honorable Discharge on March 31, 1970.  After William’s active military duties he continued his service with the Army National Guard retiring with 20 years of service.  During this time, he also worked at various body shops in Nebraska including North Platte, Columbus, and Contois Motor Company in Neligh.  Later, William went on to open his own body shop in Clearwater, Nebraska.  After William retired from the Auto Body business, he enjoyed hunting and hiking with his dog Braun.  William also was a  fire arms dealer, along with that he repaired firearms as a hobby.  William was always willing to offer a helping hand and he loved to talk and tell stories of his military days.

     In 2016, William’s health was declining and he moved to Arbor Care Home in Neligh, Nebraska.  He moved to the Veterans Home in Norfolk, Nebraska in 2018.

     William was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Raymond.      

     Survived by his special friends/family, Dwaine and Deb Trease, of Clearwater, Nebraska.