GILL NORMAN R

LTC Norman "Bud" R. Gill was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 01/15/2014 at the age of 79.1 from Parkinson's Disease
Montgomery, AL
Date of Birth 12/09/1934
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with B/229 AVN in 65-66
This information was provided by G. William Gill (son), Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Norman R. "Bud" Gill peacefully passed away in his sleep on January 15, 2014, at his home in Montgomery, Alabama, at the age of 79 years after a lengthy and valiant fight with Parkinson's Disease. He was born December 9, 1934, in Lansing, Michigan. He attended Sexton High School in Lansing where he excelled both academically and athletically and was a State of Michigan High School wrestling champion. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1957, where he majored in electrical engineering and competed in Big Ten wrestling. He then received his commission as an officer in the United States Army where he pursued a career in Army Aviation. He served his country as a medevac officer in the early 1960's in Germany during the Berlin Crisis, served two tours in Vietnam including his first tour as an air assault pilot with the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the First Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) in 1965-66 where he was involved in numerous battles including Ia Drang, LZ Xray and LZ Albany in addition to many other campaigns in the Central Highlands fought by The Cav in 1965-66. In 1969-70 he served with AVEL Far North at Red Beach, Da Nang. He was awarded many commendations and medals for gallantry in action including the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, numerous Air Medals with numerous Oak Leaf Clusters and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. When not in Vietnam, he served as an instructor pilot at Fort Rucker, Alabama, training helicopter pilots in advanced air assault tactics. He retired as a Lt. Col. in 1976 in Enterprise, Alabama. He spent nearly 25 additional years on the civilian side of Army Aviation at Fort Rucker before retiring in 2000 to Montgomery, Alabama. He and his wife Sue consider Enterprise, Alabama, their home where they were members of Christ the King Lutheran Church since 1960.

Gill was preceded in death by his parents, William A. Gill and Vernice (Otto) Gill of Lansing, Michigan. Gill is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Susan H. (Miller) Gill of Montgomery, Alabama (originally from Lansing, Michigan); his son, Jeffrey L. Gill (wife Cheryl) of Lakewood, Washington; son Gregory William Gill of Montgomery, Alabama; son Brian P. Gill (wife Michelle) of Pemberton, New Jersey, and daughter Jennifer K. (Gill) Arey (husband Col. (Ret) Scott Arey) of Harker Heights, Texas. He is also survived by many wonderful grandchildren: Amanda Gill, Monica Gill, Jessica Gill, Kaitlin Arey, Julia Arey, Hannah Faith Gill, Sara Grace Gill, Jeremiah B. Gill, and Isaiah M. Gill. Gill is also survived by his two brothers, James Gill (wife Beverly) and Ronald Gill (wife April) of Lansing, Michigan.

The family will receive friends at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, Alabama from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2014. Funeral services will be Monday, January 20, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4475 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, Alabama.

Montgomery, Alabama. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in Alabama Heritage Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered at www.alabamaheritagefh.com. Alabama Heritage Directing.

Online condolences may be offered at www.alabamaheritagefh.com. Alabama Heritage Directing.

Published in the Montgomery Advertiser from Jan. 18 to Jan. 20, 2014

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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