William Gilbert

William "Billy" Gilbert passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at his home. He was 83 years old. The funeral service will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, December 21, 2019, in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bobby Marks officiating. The family will receive friends at 12:30 to service time. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Sunset Funeral Home directing. The family will be accepting flowers or memorial contributions to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now Born in Dothan, Alabama, to Cecil and Sybil Gilbert, Billy graduated from Dothan High School where he was senior class president and played basketball and football. He went on to play football for the University of Georgia and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. It was at the University of Georgia where he met his wife, Nicki Vann Gilbert, and they married in 1960. Billy served in the Air Force Reserve. Billy began working for Herff Jones shortly after they were married, and he also opened up The Cellar restaurant on South Oates Street. Billy also later opened up The Brothers 2 with his brother Bobby. Billy worked for Herff Jones for 50 years. Billy and Nicki had two children, Vanessa and Brent. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Gilbert and Sybil Gilbert Patton, and his brother, Bobby Gilbert. Billy is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Elaine "Nicki" Gilbert; his children, Vanessa Gilbert Marshall and William Brent Gilbert (Robiann); his seven grandchildren, Ariail Gilbert Schmitz (Michael), Callie Gilbert, Will Marshall, John-Paul Marshall, Aaron Gilbert, and Zach Gilbert, Lauren Marshall; his niece, Ceclia Gilbert Robinson; his nephew, Chris Gilbert (Lauren). The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff of Dayspring Hospice and Home Helpers for one year of extraordinary care. A special thank you to Leona Griffin and Hattie Jones for their unconditional love and care of Billy and the family. Burial Date December 21, 2019 Funeral Services will be held 2pm Saturday, December 21, 2019 in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bobby Marks officiating. The family will receive friends 12:30 to service time. Burial will follow in Memory Hill cemetery with Sunset Funeral Home directing. The family will be accepting flowers or memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.