William Gamble

William (Bill) Emerson Gamble, 82 of Willshire, Ohio was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 5:58 am at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert, Ohio. Bill was born in Van Wert County, Ohio on February 7, 1932, to Neil E. and Ruth (Michael) Gamble, who preceded him in death. Bill was married to Margaret (Craine) Gamble on June 9, 1951; she survives. Bill is also survived by 5 children: Ray Gamble of Ohio City, Steve (Kathy) Gamble of Rockford, John (Rickie) Gamble of Rockford, Dean (Angie) Gamble of Willshire, and Joy (John) Koch of Huntington, Indiana. He is survived by a sister, Alice (Jack) Clark of Erie, Colorado. Bill has 7 grandchildren: Michael Gamble, Trent (Betsey) Gamble, Troy Gamble, Amanda (Seth) Kohnen, Ashley Gamble, Kayla Koch and Karmen Koch. Bill also has 3 great-grandchildren and 4 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Trey Koch, niece, Suzanne Clark and nephew, Bill Clark.

Bill was a graduate of Hoaglin Jackson High School, the class of 1950, and President of their FFA Chapter. He was a life-long farmer, a seed corn salesman, and also worked for Ralph Rager Home Improvement. He was also an avid collector of Oliver tractors. He was a charter member of the Hart-Parr Oliver Collectors Association and former author of “Chat with the Chaplain” column. Bill was a member and former president of the Old Fashioned Farmers Association and The Oliver Gang. Bill attended Pleasant Mills Baptist Church where he served as Sunday school superintendent and teacher.

Friends may visit at the Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home, 722 S. Washington Street in Van Wert, Ohio, on Tuesday April 1, 2014, from 2:00-8:00 pm and the hour preceding the funeral service. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 am at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 officiated by Rev. Ron Ramsey and Rev. Mark Rutledge. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are Center for Neurological Development, Burkettsville, Ohio, or Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert, Ohio.