Chester Gordon Gill went to see our Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 24, 2016. He was 99 years old. He was born on Sept. 23, 1917, in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, “Before there were bridges” as he would say. He was the fifth of eleven children born to Donald Wilson Gill and Elsie (Fryer) Gill.
In 1923, the Gill family moved to Aberdeen, Wash., then the largest lumber port in the world. Chet would say he moved to Aberdeen “To raise the standards of the people here”. The Gill family lived at 1605 Arnold Avenue and in December 1933 moved to the 17 room Stewart Homestead where the old Robert Grey School once stood.
He attended schools in Aberdeen and graduated with the Class of 1937. Chet played baseball and basketball for the Aberdeen High School “Bobcats”. He was a starting guard for the 1937 basketball team that finished in 5th place at the Washington State basketball tournament at the Hec Edmunson Pavilion in Seattle. This was the first Aberdeen team to win a trophy at the state basketball tournament.
Chet played two years of basketball for the Grays Harbor College “Chokers”, 1937-38 and 1938-39.
Chet worked at Rayonier in Hoquiam before attending Central Washington College of Education in Ellensburg.
Chet served his country in WWII along with seven brothers – all of whom served overseas – and all returned home. His Army unit, the 669th Topographical Engineers, fought in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He said the best thing that happened to him was during the Battle of The Bulge, his unit was attached to the British and he was issued two pairs of wool socks which saved his feet and possibly his life.
After the war, he moved to Bremerton, Wash. where he went to work for the Washington State Department of Highways.
In September 1947, he re-enrolled at Central Washington College of Education to finish his teaching degree. He completed his teaching degree in 1948 and taught 7th grade math in Shelton for the school year of 1948 – 49 and said “I taught one year and aged 30.”
He went back to work for the Washington State Department of Highways in Aberdeen.
On Aug. 21, 1949, he married Vera Joan Nelson in Bremerton, Wash. They had met in 1947 at Central in the dining hall when she served him his vegetables.
They were blessed with two sons, Douglas Wilson in 1952 and Tracy Darryl in 1954.
Chet built a house by himself at 1500 Arnold Street in Aberdeen. The family moved in on Thanksgiving Day 1952.
Chet was active in his children’s activities. He was active in the Aberdeen Methodist Church, Indian Guides, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and the Olympians Hiking Club.
He took his family on hikes, trips to the beach to dig razor clams, long weekend drives, and to search for and pick the little wild mountain blackberries.
Chet continued working for the Highway Department building many roads including the Olympia to Aberdeen freeway and advancing to Resident Engineer of the Aberdeen office.
In 1966 he moved his family to Tumwater, as he was transferred by the Department of Highways to their District 3 Headquarters in Tumwater.
Chet and family enjoyed trailer camping with their trailering group of friends. Many fun weekends were spent camping in parks on the Toutle River, Dosewallips River, Staircase, Cougar Rock, Twin Harbors and many more.
Chet was active in the Tumwater United Methodist Church helping build it in 1968 and being a Sunday School Teacher. He also remained active in Scouting.
He continued working with the Washington State Department of Transportation as it is called now in several engineering capacities until his retirement in 1980 after 32 years of service.
During his retirement, he and Vera traveled to the far ends of the United States and Canada. Florida, Alaska, the Yukon, the Maritime Provinces, Alberta, the New England States, the Southwestern States, the Mississippi River Valley, were just some of the places they visited.
He took many pictures of the wonderful scenery they saw during their travels and arranged them into slide shows, which he presented to groups and organizations.
He was an active citizen of Tumwater, serving on several citizen committees for the City of Tumwater, was a charter member of the Tumwater Historical Society and was instrumental in the opening of the Tumwater Old Town Center for senior citizens. He enjoyed singing in the Tumwater Old Town Center Senior Choir and eating lunch at the Tumwater Old Town Center with his fellow senior friends.
He was a frequent visitor at the Tumwater City Council meetings, expressing his opinion at public hearings and during the public comment period on issues he felt he needed to be addressed to the City Council. He was an advocate for senior citizens and those on fixed incomes.
He enjoyed family gatherings, the Sudoku puzzle in The Olympian, woodworking projects, working in his yard and traveling with Vera on the back roads.
He always kept himself in shape, he was a dedicated walker in his later years and bowled and played golf until his late 80’s.
“Where’s Your Smile” was his favorite greeting, he enjoyed his friends, meeting new people and talking with them. “One day at a time, we can make it”, was his favorite saying.
Chet is survived by son Douglas (Elizabeth) Gill, Tumwater and Tracy (Terrie) Gill, Marysville; six grandchildren Alyssa (Chad) Queen, Stephanie (Nick) Kanehen, Ericka (Andy) Mucciaroni, Ralph, Liezel and Russell Reoganis and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers Ken, 103, in Anderson, Calif. and John, 90, in Shelton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera, his parents, sister, Mary and brothers, Terry, Les, Bill, Barney, Cedric, Bob and Bert.
There will be a memorial service for Chet at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at the Tumwater United Methodist Church, 1401 Lake Park Drive Tumwater.
