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William "Bill" Mervyn Gorst
Jody Hane2021-08-27T14:26:19-05:00
- Name: William "Bill" Mervyn Gorst
- Location of Birth: Brainerd, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: January 26, 1928
- Date of Death: January 8 2004 (75 years old)
- Parents: William and Dora Gorst
- High School and Class:
- College: Oak Hills Bible Institute in Bemidji, Minnesota
- Highest Rank:
- Branch: Navy
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: 1945
- Place Sworn In:
- Date of Discharge:
- Place of Discharge:
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- Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
In 1945, William entered the United States Navy. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida, serving as an aviation mechanic aboard the aircraft carrier USS Salerno Bay.
- Wars Involved:
World War II
- MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Bill moved with his parents to northern California and later to Los Angeles, where he graduated from high school.
After being discharged from the Navy, Bill attended and graduated from the Oak Hills Bible Institute in Bemidji, Minnesota.
In 1949 Bill married Cleone Dutton with whom he had six children.
He worked in the post office in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, rising to the position of Superintendent of Mails.
Bill was a charter member of Grace Bible Chapel where he served on the board and taught Sunday School.
As a licensed pilot with a seaplane rating, he flew search and rescue missions with the Civil Air Patrol.
In 1967, Bill moved to Colorado Springs, where he was divorced from Cleone and later married Janice Spicer. He worked as a designer for Riviera Kitchens and was a founder of Starmark Cabinet Company. He was active in and served on committees for the National Association of Homebuilders.
In 1995, Bill retired and spent time traveling and enjoying family and friends in Colorado, Minnesota, Washington, and California. He most recently lived in Kettle Falls, Washington, wintering in Hemet, California.
Bill enjoyed a longtime hobby of woodworking from which his family received many fine crafts. He was the master of a good joke and his wit and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.
Bill is survived by his wife, Janice; four sons, Alan (Holly), Wayne (Laurie), Jonathan (Gretchen), and Jeremy (Karen); four daughters, Gail (Steven) McDowell, Janette (Hedj) Nelson, Carol Bulla, Jennifer (Jim) King; a stepson, Kim Spicer; a stepdaughter, Lynn Hawk; two sisters, Verda Godwin and Sharon Berg; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Dora Gorst; and a niece, Tamra Berg.
Bill passed away at the Veterans' Hospital in Loma Linda, California and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery at Colville, Washington.
- Tribal Affiliation(s):
