Jimmie L. Gill

Jimmie L. Gill was born March 3, 1924, on a farm near Benton, Kansas. He was the son of Alva and Anna Gill, pioneer residents of Butler County. On August 11, 2016, Jimmie was called from this life at Lawrence, Kansas where he and his wife Pauline lived for the past 45 years. Jimmie was 92 years, 5 months, and 8 days of age.

On February 17, 1943, Jimmie married Pauline Wright of Midian, Kansas. To this union two sons were born. Jimmie joined the Army Air Corps on December 4, 1942. He was honorably discharged on February 4, 1946. Jimmie was very proud of his service in World War II where he flew a C46 across the Hump from India to China. While in the Army Air Corps he was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and several other awards. He flew 95 missions during his service as a C.B.I. Hump Pilot.

Jimmie worked for Amoco Oil for 36 years in marketing-sales and training. He retired January 1, 1982 and enjoyed many hobbies. He loved to play golf, hunt pheasants and quail, and fish with his American Legion buddies. For the last 25 years, Jim and Pauline spent a couple of months each year in Phoenix, Arizona, enjoying the sun and getting together with friends. Jim was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be deeply missed and will remain in the hearts and thoughts of his family, and many friends.

Jimmie was a member of the First Christian Church, Lawrence, Kansas. He also was a lifetime member of the American Legion, the V.F.W., the Elks Club, and the Hump Pilots Association. In addition, he was a charter member of the Alvamar Country Club.

Jimmie is survived by a son Rusty, and wife Sheree, of Baldwin City, Kansas; a son Grant, and wife Linda, of Overland Park, Kansas; four grandchildren, Russ Gill, Mary Gill Kivett, Dylan Gill, Dustin Gill; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Bernie Gill, of Benton, Kansas; one sister, Elva Page, of El Dorado, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Pauline; his parents, Alva and Anna Gill, a brother Merton Gill and his wife Helen Gill, and two nephews Brock and Jeff Gill.

To celebrate Jimmie’s life, the family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, August 15, 2016 followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. A graveside memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at 1 p.m. at the Benton Cemetery, Benton, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jimmie’s name to the First Christian Church Building Fund and may be sent in care of Warren McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13^th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.