William L. Gibson

william l. gibson
William “Bill” Lee Gibson, 71, passed away on Monday, August 28, 2017. Bill was born and raised in Radford, VA, to parents Margaret and Delmas. He attended Virginia Tech, and after serving in the Navy was an electrical engineer. Upon retiring, he was a guide at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. His favorite pastimes include gardening, amateur radio, collecting antiques, and singing and playing music. He enjoyed traveling in the US, Europe, and Grenada and spending time at home playing Scrabble. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; two children, Benjamin and Kathryn; sisters, Rita, Dot, and Anna; brothers, Harry and Roger; and many other family members and friends. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. at All Souls Cathedral in Asheville. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Friends of All Souls Music, All Souls Cathedral, 9 Swan St., Asheville, NC 28803. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.

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  1. We are so sorry for your loss. we pour out heartfelt empathy towards you and your family. From the Staff Appreciation Committee, Vet Pathobiology

  2. We hold many sweet memories of Bill. He was a man of excellence in whatever he did. Mark and I so enjoyed our last trip last October to see them and our personalized tour of the Biltmore. I smile remembering how the other visitors tried to huddle around to hear what Bill was saying. We obviously had the best tour guide available!

    Bill was devoted to so many things, but mostly to his dear Carolyn. It is a wonderful thing to observe such Godly devotion. His kindness radiated out to others, and we all admired his other passions and interests. Please accept our deepest sympathy and love for your family.

  3. My thoughts and prayers are with you Carolyn and your family.Bill was such a fine man. I am so sorry for your loss. I do hope the wonderful memories and knowing that others really do care are of some comfort.

  4. Dearest Carolyn, Kathryn, Benjamin, sisters, brothers, and family,

    A poem by Henry Van Dyke so beautifully describes a soul such as Bill’s.

    Gone From My Sight

    ‘I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
    spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
    for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
    I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
    of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

    Then, someone at my side says, ‘There, she is gone.’

    Gone where?

    Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
    hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
    And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
    Her diminished size is in me — not in her.

    And, just at the moment when someone says, ‘There, she is gone,’
    there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
    ready to take up the glad shout, ‘Here she comes!’

    And that is dying…’

    The beauty is that to us ‘the other voices’ are those of loved ones in Heaven greeting Bill, and he will be there to greet us into Eternity!

    Our love and prayers are with each of you,
    Sherri and Ed McCaul

  5. I wish to express my sincere condolences to Bill Gibson’s dear wife Carolyn, and to their entire family. Bill Gibson was a very remarkable man. Kind and generous to a fault, he was always willing to share his extensive knowledge with others. It was a true pleasure to work alongside him. He will be greatly missed at Biltmore.

  6. My deepest condolences to Kathryn and her family during such a difficult time. I have heard such wonderful things about her father and his adventures and life, and know he was an amazing and remarkable man from knowing Kathryn, who is one of my dearest friends. My prayers and thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. He will be missed by many who loved him dearly.

  7. There is no doubt Bill leaves a large void here on Earth. Such a kind, brilliant and dear soul. Our sincerest sympathies to Carolyn, Benjamin and Kathryn. You are all a tribute to the wonderful man you called husband and father. We have fond memories of our amazing roof top tour at The Biltmore with Bill. Such a remarkable historian and a great loss for The Biltmore as well. Trust in the promise of everlasting life for all who believe. What a welcome in Heaven for Bill! Our love to each of you!

  8. Dr. Gibson

    I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss and my thoughts are with you and your family. I can’t imagine what you are feeling, but I want to express my condolences to you.

    You have our heart-felt sympathy for the loss of your beloved father.
    May his soul rest in peace and just remember that the Lord will take care of him.
    I know it is a difficult time you’re going through, but don’t lose courage because life moves on and time heals all wounds.
    May you find peace with time.

    In God’s will, we should remain content. And, we will be reunited with our departed ones in the eternal life hereafter.

    Kindly accept our deepest sympathy and condolences on your bereavement.

    Thank you and take care

    M.I. Bhaiyat and family

  9. Carolyn and family, I wish to express my deepest sympathies to you as you experience the loss of a husband, brother, and father. Bill Gibson was a fine man. As a Biltmore host, he was always energetic, positive, and roll model to all of us who worked with him. He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with each of you during these dark days. Carolyn, I have a doctor’s appointment at the time of the memorial service and will not be able to make it, but know I will be paying homage to Bill during that time.

  10. Dear Carolyn and family,

    Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of your loved one, Bill. May the love you have for him and he for you bring you peace in the months and years to come. God Bless.

  11. Dear Carolyn and family,
    The loss of our dear friend and co-worker is very sad. It was a privilege to work along side Bill and his sweet wife Carolyn. He always was happy and energetic to share his extensive knowledge of the Biltmore House, especially the mechanics.
    He will be missed. Carolyn, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope all the wonderful years together and the memories will help you through this tough time. love, lena


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