William Gibson

Senior Chief William D. Gibson, U.S. Navy, retired

March 12, 1958 - February 27, 2021

William Dotson Gibson, known to many as “Dee,” passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones on February 27, 2021.

Bill was born March 12, 1958, in Clarksville, Tenn., to Charles Edward and Bertie (Mathis) Gibson. He was the youngest of 15 children who lived on a farm in Cunningham, Tenn. After the death of his parents during his childhood, Bill’s older sister, Lynn, raised the youngest siblings in Traverse City, Mich. Bill graduated from Traverse City High School in 1976 and joined the United States Navy that same year. He married Vickie Lynne Bright on April 7, 1987, and welcomed two children, Alyssa and William.

During his 26 years of active duty, Bill traveled the world and earned several honors for his service, including the Kuwait Liberation Medal for his tour overseas during Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War. His service also included education and training in helicopter handling, crash/salvage cleanup and firefighting. Bill was incredibly patriotic and continued to serve his country as a private contractor for the Navy after retiring from active duty at the rank of senior chief in 2002. On Feb. 17, 2007, he married Wanda Combs in Emporia, Va., and helped raise her son, Dakota.

Bill was a true sailor and held a special place in his heart for his immediate and extended family. He enjoyed the simple things in life, like helping out a neighbor and FaceTiming with his granddaughter. He was a dog lover through and through, owning many different breeds over the decades. He loved a good bar-be-que and helped orchestrate a family reunion in 2014 for the first time in more than 33 years.

Bill is survived by his wife, Wanda; his children Alyssa (Jacob) Kleidon and William Gibson; the mother of his children and good friend, Vickie; stepson Dakota Combs; his beloved granddaughter, Ruby Lynne Kleidon; sisters Lynn Running, Shirley (Jimmy) Thomas, Sarah (Charlie) Neblett; brothers John (Betty) Gibson, Bobby (Vera) Gibson, Joe Gibson and Raymond Gibson;brother-in-law, DeWayne Belles, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues and fellow veterans. He also leaves behind two best friends, Sadie the Dachshund and Penelope the English Bulldog.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Bertie; adoptive father Gerald Running; and siblings Betty Belles, Jessie (Wayne) Gregory, Mary Ann Craven, Martha (James) Neblett, James Dillard Gibson, Wesley Gibson and Charles Gibson.

Visitation for Senior Chief Gibson will be at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home, 1209 Madison St., Clarksville, Tenn., from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 12, on what would have been his 63rd birthday. A second visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, with a memorial at the funeral home and a graveside service to follow at Hopewell Baptist Church, 1450 TN-13, Cunningham, Tenn.