BILLY H. GILBERT

Published 10:13 pm Sunday, November 17, 2019

MILL SPRING – Billy H. Gilbert of Mill Spring passed away Thursday afternoon, November 14, 2019 at Spartanburg Medical Center following a brief illness.

Billy was born June 21, 1942 to the late Ellick and Bertie Haynes Gilbert. In Billy’s early years, he volunteered to serve our country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. During his service, he was part of the United States Army Signal Corps. 

Billy returned to Mill Spring after his military service and soon began his career as a truck driver, which was his lifelong passion. Billy spent 30 years with Milliken & Company as a truck driver. In his career, he drove over 2 million miles with an absolutely perfect record. In 2001, Billy was named South Carolina Driver of the Year by the South Carolina Trucking Association. In addition, he was also presented with Milliken’s Vice Presidents Award, in recognition of his service and professionalism in his over 2 million miles with Milliken.

Billy was a devout Christian; he loved to study the Bible and had done so for many years. He and his wife Brenda attended Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a spouse, Helen Eplee Gilbert. The second of four children, he was also preceded in death by three sisters, Aileen G. McDaniel, Gwendolyn Gilbert and Allaja G. Newman.

Billy is survived by his beloved wife, Brenda Price Gilbert. He is also survived by his niece, Pam Newman of Tryon.

The family will receive friends Sunday prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the McFarland Funeral Chapel.

A funeral will follow at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 17, 2019 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel with Rev. Warren Elliott officiating. 

Burial will follow in Silver Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Polk County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to Thermal Belt Outreach, P.O. Box 834, Columbus, NC 28722.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

Arrangements are entrusted with McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, NC.