Wilcox-Benhill County GaArchives Obituaries.....Gibbs, Billy Stanley November 22, 2005
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Elaine Turk Nell http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00017.html#0004116 November 29, 2005, 4:56 pm

The Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas, 25 November 2005
Billy Stanley Gibbs 1939 - 2005 
Billy Stanley Gibbs, 66, died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005, surrounded by the 
powerful love of his beloved wife, family and friends. 
Memorial service: The family will hold a private memorial service. 
Memorials: The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to 
Vitas Hospice of Fort Worth. 
Billy was born in his family's farm house in Wilcox County, Ga., on March 2, 
1939, to Henry and Carrie Gibbs. The youngest of five children, the early 
years he spent on a working farm inbued in him a deep love of the land and the 
intense sense of responsibility, determination and desire to succeed that he 
sustained throughout his life. 
Billy graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1956. He earned an associate's 
degree from the Community College of the Air Force in 1979. 
Billy began his 25-year career in the Air Force at 17, drinking in the 
excitement and intrigue in French Morocco and North Africa. From there he was 
stationed at various Strategic Air Command and Tactical Air Command bases 
stateside as well as many international T.D.Y.s. 
Fiercely patriotic, Billy participated in the notorious Bay of Pigs invasion 
of Cuba and volunteered for two consecutive tours of duty during the Vietnam 
War. During his Vietnam tours, he was a member of Operation Ranch Hand and 
served with the 1st Air Commandos. He continued to be a dominant NCO in the 
Air Force, leading his maintenance squadron at Moody AFB, Ga., to win two 
consecutive Daedalion Awards as the best maintained unit in the Air Force. As 
aircraft maintenance superintendent at Hill AFB, Utah, he formed the first two 
F-16 aircraft generation units with a combat mission. When he retired as a 
CMSGT in 1981, his military honors included the Air Force Commendation Medal, 
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, two Silver Stars and a 
Purple Heart. 
Billy's competitive nature and love for the outdoors led him to compete in and 
win numerous competitions, including regional pistol matches, regional skeet 
competitions and bass fishing tournaments, placing first in most events. 
He began a second career in Fort Worth with then General Dynamics in 1981, 
rising rapidly within management in the F-16 program. He found time to train 
and compete in numerous Olympic weightlifting and power lifting events. He 
held both the Texas State and World Bench Pressing records for the 55-59 age 
group for a 410-pound lift, which he later exceeded. 
Billy had a lifelong love for gunsmithing and was a respected firearm 
authority. His passion for hunting and fishing involved his family members and 
close friends. He served for more than 10 years as a hunting guide for an area 
club. 
Billy was a lifelong racing fan, with a passion that began in the late 50s, 
when he competed in and won many races in Georgia and Florida. 
Despite his apparent rugged, gruff personality, Billy was a loving and 
generous husband, father and grandfather. To his wife, he was a best friend 
and beloved companion. To his children and grandchildren, he was an icon. His 
well-versed opinions, riveting stories and unwavering love will be sorely 
missed. 
Survivors: Wife, Helen Gibbs; sister, Mildred Speers and husband, Walter; son, 
David Gibbs and wife, Kellie; daughter, Karri McGovern and husband, Thomas; 
daughter, Diane Alvarez; stepson, Russell Allen and wife, Shannon; 
stepdaughter, Abigail McDonald and husband, Timm; six grandchildren; nephews; 
nieces; and numerous close friends. 


Additional Comments:
Billy's parents' names were Henry Ezekiel Gibbs and Maude Carrie (Stanley) 
Gibbs.  His surviving sister's surname is correctly spelled "Spears".  His  
siblings who predeceased him in death were:  Henry Milton Gibbs (d. 1973), 
Anna Marie Gibbs Futch (d. 1999), and Richard Clifford Gibbs (d. 2004).

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/wilcox/obits/g/gibbs7824ob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/

File size: 4.5 Kb