More detail on this person: William Percy Gillette III, 84, of Spotsylvania VA. joined the Long Gray Line on January 31, 2021. He was born in Suffolk, VA to the late Edward and Mabel Gillette. He graduated from Chuckatuck High School in 1953 and attended VPI for 1 year before being accepted into the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, NY. He graduated from USMA in 1958 and was commissioned into the US Army as an Armor officer. Duty assignments included Korea, 2 tours in Vietnam, Pakistan, Germany and various posts stateside. During his Army career he earned numerous honors and medals to include the Distinguished Flying Cross (2), the Bronze Star (2) and the Combat Infantry badge (a big deal for an Armor officer). Some of his most treasured time in the Army was flying helicopters in the Air Cavalry. He retired after a 21-year career serving our country. After retiring he worked for Hittman/Westinghouse and during that time also earned his Master's Degree in Finance. He then spent the next 25 years working as a financial advisor with Waddell and Reed Financial Services. He was a member of the Annapolis and Spotsylvania Lions Club, serving as President of the Spotsylvania Chapter in 2016-2017. He was an avid skier, hunter and gardener. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Nancy G. Gillette of Spotsylvania, VA; his brother Robert E. Gillette of Suffolk, VA; 4 Children: Deborah G. Nagle (Don Brady) of Alexandria VA, Mary G. Delgado (Tony) of Greenville, SC, William David Gillette (Amy) of Monroe, NC and Karen G. Pendleton (Jody) of Charlotte, NC; and 10 Grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held in the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory Suffolk, VA on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 2 PM, with visitation an hour before the service. He will be Interred at Arlington National Cemetery on a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in his name (William Percy Gillette) to the West Point class of 1958 Perpetuity Fund. Make checks out to "Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund" and send to Deborah G. Nagle (Treasurer) 408 Crown View Dr. Alexandria, VA 22314. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 07/15/2021
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association