William T. Gillen

William T. Gillen, age 85, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at his home in Upper Sandusky.

He was born on October 22, 1927 in Wyandot County to the late George A. Gillen Sr. and Loretta A. (Weaver) Gillen. On January 16,1946, he married to Emma Jean Wyss in St. Peters Parish by Father William J. McKeown and she passed away on February 1, 2008.

He is survived by three children Patricia Jane Gillen of Columbus, Ohio, Edward A. Gillen and Pam of Noblesville, Indiana, William T. Gillen Jr. of Upper Sandusky, Five Grandchildren - Matt (Stacie) Gillen, Amy Hiem, Sam (Janel) Gillen, Maggie Gillen, Amanda Thiel, and two great grand children Hannah Bussey and Brendon Gillen.

Bill was preceded in death by 2 brothers George A. Gillen Jr. - James P. Gillen , 2 sisters Mary Hess, Fern Miller and one granddaughter Sarah Gillen and a great grandson Garrett Bussey.

He lived most of his life in Wyandot County. When he was young he was active in the community affairs and church work and social activities, he was a member of veteran organizations, fraternal lodges, social and professional organizations, he also served on church committees, board of directors of the chamber of commerce, and the board of directors of Commercial Savings Bank and as a director Emeritus of Commercial Savings Bank.

He was a licensed Auctioneer since 1948 and sold real estate and chattels throughout the Wyandot County and surrounding areas. He was a licensed Real Estate Broker, and an Ohio General Certified Commercial Appraiser. His businesses were active throughout the State of Ohio in auctioneering, real estate sales and appraisal services for over fifty years.

Earlier in life Bill was an auto mechanic and was in business selling used cars for many years.

He attended St. Peters Catholic School and graduated from Upper Sandusky High School in 1945. He continued his education at Ohio State University and numerous trade and business schools throughout his life.

Bill served in the United States Coast Guard, Merchant Marines during WW2 and in the 1st Infantry Division in the US Army of Occupation in the European Theatre at the end of hostilities in 1946-1947. He was a lifetime member of the Catholic Church primarily The Transfiguration of The Lord Parish in Upper Sandusky and was also a member of the BPOE #83 and the Warpole Lodge #176 F&AM.

Bill always enjoyed his faith, his family life, his work and people in general. His favorite saying was "I have never had a bad day, but of course some days are better than others, because that's Gods will."

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00AM on Saturday, November 3, at the
Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church in Upper Sandusky with the Rev. J.R. Hadnagy O.F.M. officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery in Upper Sandusky where military graveside rites will be conducted by the Upper Sandusky Color Guard.

Visitations will be held on Friday, from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at the Lucas-Batton Funeral Home in Upper Sandusky, where a prayer service will take place at 4:30PM on Friday.

Memorial may be made to the St. Peter's Catholic School or the Donor's Choice in care of Lucas-Batton Funeral Home 476 S. Sandusky Ave. Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351

Online condolences may be sent to www.lucasbatton.com