William H. Gilman

William H. Gilman, 90, born on July 26, 1930, in Los Angeles , CA, United States, passed away December 4, 2020. He resided in Victorville , CA at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Glendale, California.

When William Gilman and Shirley Powell met at Biola Bible College in 1948, their first date took them to Forest Lawn Memorial Park. They had very little money but a deep appreciation of art—Michelangelo's David, the Last Supper Window, the courtyard celebrating The Mystery of Life—art and beauty everywhere they looked. They held hands as they wandered the grounds and determined that they would live their lives together on earth and in heaven: they would end their life as they began it, at Forest Lawn. Their faith in God and a love that transcends death in resurrection allowed them to see earthly life as a portal, the beginning and not the end of a life that is eternal and deep. They believed in the Kingdom of Heaven, knew that death should be a celebration of life Here and still more fully There.

Shirley said she fell in love with Bill while he was pulling ribbon out of a "Gospel nut" in front of an audience at Biola Bible College in Los Angeles. She was drawn to Bill's electric blue eyes and dark hair, but still more to his heart for God. He was drawn to her ravishing smile, but still more to her love of missions. The two married when they graduated in 1951. Their first son, Jonathan, was born a year later. In the next seven years they would have Esther, Daniel, Priscilla, and Timothy, a family of seven. Bill and Shirley went first to Mexico as Faith missionaries and then to the Texas Soul Clinic. Bill loved evangelism, preaching in Spanish to braceros on both sides of the border. In 1958, Bill and Shirley returned to Pasadena where Bill committed himself to taking care of Shirley and his large family. His first job in Pasadena was delivering bread, but he soon discovered Bertea Products: He continued in Aerospace all his life as the most loving of fathers and the most patient of machinists—first at Bertea, before going on to Ronson and Parker-Hannifin. He led a daily Bible Study in every place he worked, discipling men everywhere he was, his work friends stopping by to meet his family over the years. Shirley pursued her love of missions through Child Evangelism, using flannelgraph to tell the story of Jesus to children in the neighborhood. Priscilla's best friend, Paula Barnes, became a Christian at a weekly meeting, and friends of Jon, Esther, Daniel, Priscilla, and Timothy were part of a Fellowship in Duarte where many friends became full time ministers and pastors. Bill got a teaching credential and Shirley became a school librarian at Calvary Chapel where she organized the library. She worked in libraries from that time on, her love of books a constant joy. On weekends in the 1970s and 1980s, Bill was a pastor at several different churches in the area.

But Bill's heart remained in Mexico: he worked with YUGO ministries, taking short trips during the summers to start churches there. When he retired at 60 and moved up to Phelan California, he continued to minister in nearby prisons as a Chaplain, always speaking in Spanish. Upon being hospitalized at Knolls West Convalescent Hospital after a fall in 2011, he continued to teach weekly Bible studies in English and Spanish. Shirley went to heaven in 2017, and Bill continued living at Knolls West, where he shared his love of God with the staff and residents. He knew everyone by name, caringly responded to each person's individual sorrows, always thanking those who tended him, demonstrating patience, compassion, and faith in every breathing moment. He bowed his head to pray at every meal, a constant witness to his dependence on God and his love of family whom he prayed for by name. William Gilman was infinitely faithful in the little things. God has now made him master of much.

William Gilman left a Legacy of Faith that his children continue. About William Gilman, they write:

Jonathan: What do we reach out for with hands and hearts, scarred and broken from the trials of life? Who is our example of how to live and move from day to day? Who teaches us, motivates us, prays for us to be better than we are? I know someone who was able, who had the right heart, who prayed often. I can name times, places, events, where the seeing and believing was portrayed; a person grounded with feet firmly planted, eyes looking out to see. Always seeking to serve, to teach, to inspire, to give hope. He did that for many; his children are witnesses, benefactors, believers. So many in awe of this man with knowledge of the scriptures, God's voice. In a world that has forgotten the meaning of hope, the meaning of faith. Struggles? Yes, my father had them as all people do, but he endured, he lived. Even broken physically, wheelchair bound for nine years, he was a witness. A testimony to the God he believed in for 75 years, he was saved at age 15. So, when we look for an example, we look to a person like dad, who was faithful, inspired and hopeful. Now, we walk on that road called living and wonder how we might become the same type of person, hero, father. So, I think of the word, "legacy." What will I project, offer, leave behind for those I encounter in my life? I will think of dad and remember the times I would have quit trying without seeing him and thank God every day for what I am and know now because of the man who lived and left a Legacy of Faith.

Esther: Dad loved to talk about God's unconditional love, and he demonstrated that love every day of his life. He made it easy to believe in.

Daniel: Dad lived life sacrificially, giving up his own dreams to enable others to dream and never too busy or too tired to help somebody.

Priscilla: The very last words Dad said to the five of us were "Take care of one another."

Timothy: The faithful servant is now with our Lord. He will truly be missed here, but now he has no more pain or suffering. Let us be glad to know that God has called our Dad home to be with him.

Dad loved those around him in every place he lived, leaving a legacy of ministry too:

In Phelan where he lived, William led the Keen-Agers Adult Bible Study and Seasoned Saints Adult Bible Study. In Victorville, he was Chaplain to Spanish speakers in prison. At Knolls West, he studied the Bible weekly with other residents.

Throughout his life, William Gilman reminded us of the intimacy between Heaven and Earth.
Those of us here who will continue to love Bill and Shirley are Jonathan and Laurie Gilman and Laurie's sons, Steven, Dom, and Will; Jonathan and Vickie Gilman, and their children, Eric Gilman and grandchildren, Isabel, Erica, and Daniel; Jennifer and Jeffrey Fries and grandchildren, Nevaeh and Adrian; Esther and David Miller, and David's sons, Jack, Truman, and Sam; Esther and William Richey, and daughter, Thia Richey; Daniel and Gayle Gilman; Priscilla and John Whitaker, and their children, Dawn and Tyler Caver, David and Shannon Whitaker, and grandchildren, Devyn and Zoe; Timothy and Vicky Gilman, and their daughter, Ayla; Donald and Edna Jewell and their children and grandchildren.

Our family in heaven also includes Scott and Daniel Gilman and Bill Richey.

A Graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn for William Gilman on Monday, December 14, 12:00 noon, 1712 S. Glendale Blvd, Glendale, CA, 91205.

In the future, we hope to have many celebrations of Mom and Dad's life together at Forest Lawn.