William 'Bill' Eugene Gravelle, 65
William "Bill" Eugene Gravelle, 65, passed away "into the arms of his Lord" at his home Feb. 13, 2007, after a lengthy time of chronic illnesses. He was born June 27,1941, in Plainview, Texas, to Emma Louise (Adams) and Clarence Henry Gravelle. He attended St. John's Seminary in San Antonio for three years, then graduated from Price Memorial College in Amarillo, Texas, in 1960.
After graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1980. He started his career in supply, then later became a continuous precision photo processing technician. He was selected to be part of an elite crew that downloaded and read film from the space capsules and the SR-71. During the time he worked in special projects and in conjunction with Kodak, he helped make changes in the reading of the films, saving both time and money.
The medals and awards he received in the military were the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award 4 OLC, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal 5 OLC, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 3 OLC, Air Force Excellence Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, four Bronze Service Stars, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.
He was stationed at several bases during his career, including Fairchild AFB, Washington, Ernest Harmon AFB, Newfoundland, March AFB, Calif., Andersen AFB, Guam, Lowry AFB, Colo., Beale AFB, Calif., Tan Son Nhut air base, Saigon, Vietnam, Westover AFB, Massachusetts, and Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
It was while he was stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane that he met his wife-to-be, Marjorie, and they were married in Columbia Falls on June 30, 1962.
Bill was a lover of education and always was trying to better himself with classes and tech schools. His hobbies included being a fixed-wing pilot, cooking, making wood crafts for friends and family, and writing poetry. Since moving to Montana he has especially enjoyed wood carving.
His family was important to him, and he enjoyed whatever time he could spend with them. As the children were growing up he spent time as a Little League coach and then as a coach for the Junior Bowlers. Bill was liked by everyone. He was a kind, thoughtful, sensitive and compassionate man who loved people and gave freely of himself to others in any way whenever he could.
Bill was a member of High Country Carvers, Moose Lodge No.1922, Kalispell, Tri-Angle Eagles No. 3927, Fairfield, and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and three brothers, Robert John, Kenneth Arshall and Clarence Henry Jr.
Surviving Bill are his wife of 45 years, Marjorie (Bakshas) Gravelle; sons, Gregory Scott and Shelton Ann, of Ada, Mich., and Anthony Wayne of Sioux Falls, S.D.; daughter, Tamara Renee and Shannon, of Arlington, Texas; grandchildren, Josiah Scott, Samuel Patrick, Jonathan Yeats, Benjamin William, Nathaniel Robert and Peter Bakshas Gravelle of Ada, Mich., Meaghan Renee and Travis Wayne McMeans of Arlington, Texas; four sisters, Thelma Marie Breton of LaPort, Texas, Iona Mae and Harold Pool of Hutto, Texas, Emma Louise and Sherrill Rigsby, of Hale Center, Texas, and Elizabeth Ann and Wilburn Connally, of Kerrville, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His warmth and humor will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, with Father John Miller presiding, with a reception afterward at St. Richard's.
Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held in the summer to honor Bill.
Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is coordinating the service.