This morning I awoke to birds singing and the sunshine streaming down on the beautiful place we at in Maidens,Virginia. The day began with plans to leave the Berchtolds and continue on with our adventures to Fredericksburg, VA. We ate breakfast and took a lovely walk through the peaceful and serene neighborhood. Tim called around the time that we were getting ready to leave with some sad news....little did I know this phone call would change the course of the day and my children's lives......
Tim's dad, Bill, has been experiencing major health issues for awhile now and due to these, his heart gave out on Thursday evening (last night) while at home. The dr. assured the family that Dad had known no pain and it was immediate. The kids and I are sad to not be at home with everyone but we know that Grandpa would want us to continue on with our trip. He was very supportive and excited for us to come on this adventure. We have been sending post cards along the way and Christian was very happy that he had received and and, being the navy man that he was, enjoyed the one we sent from the USS Alabama Memorial Park.
Selfishly, we will miss him and are grieving that we will not be able to have him here with us but we rest in the fact that he is home with the Lord, no longer to suffer from the heart condition, Diabetes and Parkinsons that have been plaguing him these last months. His body is no longer sick and is made new in Jesus!!
After talking to Tim, the day got a little derailed. We stayed at our friends house for the rest of the day and they provided a respite for me. They were a source of warmth and comfort to the kids and I on this difficult day. I am so grateful to them for the words of comfort, prayers, hugs, and respect for my tears that they gave to me and my children in our time of sorrow on Friday.....God truly provided an atmosphere that let us get through our initial shock, it was such a blessing that God provided Christian friends here on the east coast since I could not be at home with my circle of friends there. Thank you Lord for your providential care for me!!!!
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| with Gracie at one of Madison's many soccer games....... |
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| Grandpa treasured his family....... |
Tim's brother, John wrote the following Obituary:
William (Bill) Gillette of Santa Rosa, died while at home on April 5, 2012. He was 72 years old.
Bill is survived by his beautiful and sweet wife of nearly 49 years, Susan Gillette. Their marriage was considered by those that knew them as absolutely incredible. They were known as “Ma and Pa Gillette”. Together, they were role models to all that had the pleasure of meeting them. Bill and Sue raised four children who all have their own families and are active members of Sonoma County. They are Timothy and Shelley Gillette, Patrick and Kelly Gillette, John and Jodi Gillette and Aimee and Chris Studer. Bill is also survived by his sister of Yuma, Arizona, Marilyn Black.
Bill was the proud grandfather of Madison, Christian, Preston, Gracie, Jayden and Kaden. Bill’s pride and joy were his grandkids. He loved attending and cheering each of them on at their sporting events. Bill also enjoyed camping at Richardson’s Grove and fishing.
After growing up and graduating from High School in Humboldt County, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy. There he served aboard the USS Lewis (DE535) Destroyer Escort. After his tour of duty and service to his country, Bill attended and graduated from the Santa Rosa Junior College. While at the SRJC, Bill aided in the implementation and creation of the SRJC Campus Police. While there, he rose to the rank of Captain.
In May of 1963, Bill became a sworn peace officer with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. During his tenure at the Sheriff’s office, Bill assisted in the creation and development of the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC). Not only did Bill teach countless Deputies how to drive over the years, he also spent an afternoon or two taking his kids for the ride of their lives while out on the track. They all remember wearing Bill’s instructor helmet while they got to pretend they were the Cops going after the bad guy. Coincidentally, three of Bill’s kids are now sworn Peace Officers. Two serve the citizen’s of Santa Rosa as Santa Rosa Police officers and the other the citizens within Sonoma County as a Sonoma County Deputy Sheriff.
Bill was also one of the first K9 handlers within the Sheriff’s Office and was the handler of two Bloodhounds. He also served in several other specialty assignments, including the detective bureau. Bill was eventually promoted to Sergeant in which he supervised several different departments.
Bill loved being a Deputy and took pride in his service to the community. After serving 20 years with the SCSO, Bill was forced to medically retire in 1983. Although he loved his job and did not want to retire when he did, he took and shared his countless stories he experienced over his two decades of service. Although the stories changed and grew in suspense each time they were told, they were fun and hilarious to listen to. He relived each story as he told them.
Bill and Sue were proud and devoted members of the Vineyard and Faith Lutheran Church in Windsor. They very much enjoyed the congregation where Susan sings in the choir.
Bill was a noble man with unwavering morals and ethics. Not only was he a husband, father, grandfather and friend, he was a leader, a role model, a motivator and a hero to many. Although he will be dearly missed, there is comfort in knowing he is home with the Lord and those that have already passed that loved him.
There will be a Memorial celebrating Bill’s life on Saturday, April 14th at 2pm. The service will be held at the Vineyard of Faith Lutheran Church in Windsor.
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