William Gilbert, 88, of Brockton, Massachusetts passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side after a lengthy, courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Ann (Glynn) and loving family, Lisa Holsopple and her husband Kevin, Michael Gilbert, William G. Gilbert, Suzanne Heikkila and her husband Jeff and Peter Gilbert and his husband Rick; his grandchildren, Christopher Pacella and his wife Patty, Anthony Pacella, Dylan Gilbertl, Julia Gilbert, Jake Gilbert, Josh Gilbert and Colton Heikkila; his great-grandchild, Makayla Pacella. He was the grandfather of the late Matthew Pacella and Jesse Heikkila.

Born in Swansea, Massachusetts, he was son of the late William and Annie (Reed) Gilbert and late sisters Claire, Charlotte, Helen, late brothers James, Robert, Warren, John; and sisters, Ann, and Janet; and numerous nieces and nephews.

After high school, Bill proudly served in the United States Air Force as a Senior Airman for the 526th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Ramstein Air Base Germany. For six years, he sent part of his paycheck home to his family. Soon after discharge, he married Ann and moved to Brockton to raise a family. He was employed by Raytheon Corporation as a Precision Sheet Metal Mechanic and previously by Ainslie Corporation in Massachusetts.

Bill was an avid collector of sports cards and up-cycling tools for resale at the Raynham Flea Market each Sunday. Bill also liked spending time with his best friend Frank, qua-hogging. But what he valued most was spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 17 Main Street, (Rt105) Lakeville,  between 12:00PM - 3:00PM on Sunday, December 22, 2024. A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home on Monday, December 23, 2024 at 11:00 am, followed by a military burial at the Cemetery at the Green in Middleboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Bill's name to Give Kids the World. Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families.