William Peter Gilles Sr. (Bill), 87, passed away Friday, October 28, 2016 at Fieldstone Memory Care in Kennewick, WA, where he had resided since May 2016. He enjoyed the friends he made there, and the staff, who had come to feel like family. Bill's family is grateful to the Fieldstone community for the loving care and friendship they gave to Bill and those who loved him. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Sylvester and Agnes Gilles, his first wife Carol, his brother Robert, and recently, his second wife Madeline. He is survived by his sons Bill (and Roni) and David (and Nancy), his brother Gerald (and Joan), sisters-in-law Margy Howell and Fran Gilles, his grandchildren Billy (and Wendy), John (and Michelle), Darlene, Wendy, David Jr., Heather, Shane (and Cynthia), and Stacey. He was great-grandfather to 15 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and their children. Bill was born December 17, 1929 in Glendale, CA, the oldest of three sons to Sylvester and Agnes. Bill, Bob, and Jerry grew up together in North Hollywood, living a frugal yet adventurous existence. Bill graduated from Loyola High School, and received his BA in Electrical Engineering from Loyola University, where he was involved in ROTC. After college, he served in the Air Force, and was first stationed at Hamilton AFB, during which time he wrote several charming (and entertaining) love letters to his then fiancé, Carol Schultz. He and Carol married on April 21, 1951, raised two sons, and were married for 55 years, until Carol's passing on February 5, 2006. On September 28, 2006, he married longtime family friend Madeline Mee, and they delighted in nearly 10 years of "newly wedded" bliss until Madeline's passing on July 24, 2016. They enjoyed spending the last three years together in their lovely new home in Kennewick. Bill had a quick and ever-ready sense of humor. He referred to himself jokingly as S.O.B. (Sweet Old Bill), and bestowed his ability to dish out, and take, good natured ribbing to his sons and their children. A devoted family man, loving husband and caregiver, and great lover of pets (especially his dogs), Bill loved to spend time with his sons and grandchildren. As a younger man, he was a Scout Master, and took his sons camping, fishing, and exploring. He particularly enjoyed canoeing in a green canoe which rode atop his VW Bug with Thunder the 175lb. Great Dane in the back seat. While his grandkids were growing up, he told them stories, read to them, helped with homework, took them "cow trailing," exploring home construction sites, and taught them to drive. He always attended their games, concerts, recitals, plays, and ceremonies. When Mother (Carol) would send them downstairs to wrestle and play, he taught them the best way of going down the stairs--sliding down in huge cardboard boxes. Over the last three years, Bill was happy to play with and read to, his youngest great-grandson several times a month. Bill loved teaching his sons and grandsons how to build, rebuild, and repair all manner of things, a skillset which his youngest grandson often used to help him and Madeline around their home over the last several years. Bill loved music, and though he couldn't carry a tune, he knew the words to every song he heard, and sang along, right up to the time of his passing. His grandchildren's musical performances frequently brought him to tears, and he was proud of each one of his grandchildren's accomplishments. Deeply loved by his family, Bill's humor, generosity, compassion, faith, selflessness, and tireless hard work was a living example of how to live a life full of love and meaning. He will be remembered and greatly missed, by his loving family and friends. A Rosary will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7409 W. Clearwater Avenue in Kennewick, WA at 8:30 a.m. Monday November 7, with the Funeral mass to follow at 9:00 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tri-City Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick, WA.