William Stafford Gibson of Wheeling, WV, died on June 15, 2020 at Wheeling Hospital with his family by his side. Bill was born March 29, 1941 in Charleston, WV. Son of William B. Gibson and Elizabeth Stafford Gibson. In Addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by beloved aunts and uncles and his cousin who was like a sister to him, Nancy Rohrbaugh Thompson.
Bill was raised in Staunton, Virginia. He served in the U.S. Army then went to college and graduated from his family’s beloved alma mater, West Virginia University. Bill worked for the Federal Government in Washington D.C. for several years before returning home to teach the Hearing Impaired at the Virginia School for the Deaf. He became an adept interpreter for the deaf during that time and for years after.
In Staunton, Bill met his beloved wife, Mary Bennis. They moved to New York City where Bill finished his graduate degree at New York University. After graduation, Bill and Mary moved to Danville, KY. Both he and Mary taught at the Kentucky School for the Deaf.
Work as an Administrator with the Bankruptcy Court brought the Gibson’s to Wheeling. Later Bill became a partner in PG Energy Services in Pittsburgh.
Bill was active in retirement. He served on the Board at the Seeing Hand Association. He was an Oblate of St. Benedict in Latrobe, PA for many years. He was an active member of St. Vincent De Paul in Elm Grove over 35 years, serving as a Lector, Eucharistic
As active as Bill was in his community, what was most cherished to Bill was his family which were the light of his life. He was “Uncle Hoot” to a large extended Stafford family that he loved dearly.
Surviving are his beloved Wife, Mary, two daughters, Kate (Richard) Stewart of Wheeling, Anne (Michael) Ricci of Wheeling and grandchildren, Maggie Gibson, Ryan Monroe and Angelene Ricci as well as his great granddaughter Rosaleigh all of Wheeling. He also leaves sister-in-law, Martha Scrimenti of California, Sara (Joe) Sterbenc of Chicago and David Bennis of Freeport, Illinois and many nieces, and nephews and cousins across the country.
A Memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 4th, 2020 at 11am at St. Vincent de Paul Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to, St Vincent Archabbey 300 Frasier Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650 or to St Vincent De Paul Society at 2244 Marshall Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 or to the Seeing Hand Association, 750 Main Street, Wheeling, WV 26003.
Time: 11:00 am
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Cal & Jo Ann Rich posted on 7/5/20
We have such fond memories of meeting you, Mary, and Bill on our Portugal cruise. We felt as though we had known Bill for many years as well as you. He certainly was a kind and thoughtful guy. We send our love and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. We know he will be missed terribly.