Billy Norman Gilmer

Bill Gilmer only waited 18 days to join his beloved wife of 59 years in their celestial home. Pat and Bill, as they were known to family and friends, married June 3, 1950 in Hamilton, Texas. Pat died October 25 and Bill November 12, both at Hendrick Hospital in Abilene. Bill was born in Hamilton, Texas, February 3, 1929 to Willie and Stella Gilmer. He graduated from high school in Hamilton, briefly attended SMU, and after their marriage the couple moved to Lovington, New Mexico where they started an insurance business. In late 1962, they moved to Clovis, New Mexico where they continued their successful business and had moved to Abilene in October to be near Pat's sister, B J Naranjo-Smith and her husband Ellis Smith. Bill loved life, friends, family, the golf course, fishing and playing cards! He was entertaining with his sharp wit and kept those around him laughing. When a series of strokes hit his bride, he sold his business in 1992, curtailed his activities and became a dedicated caregiver. The kitchen became his domain; he learned the intricacies of dressing and grooming a meticulous wife and lived his life with the goal of protecting and caring for her. Friends and family were amazed at how quickly and well he adapted to being a "house husband" and many male friends jokingly said he was ruining their image! The Gilmers were never blessed with children, but they shared their wealth with a variety of children in need, including orphanages and charities that benefited children. They thrived on their five nieces and two nephews who filled their life with devotion and joy. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, a brother Art Gilmer, his parents, his nephew Mike Naranjo, and his brother-in-law, Pete Rice, who was his classmate and close friend. Survivors include his brother Joe Gilmer and his wife Betty of Midland; sister in law and her husband, B J and Ellis Smith of Abilene, nephews Mark Gilmer, Midland; Mike Gilmer, Houston; nieces Karen McGoldrick, Williamsburg, Va., Brenda Rice, Paula Rice and Lezlee Aritua of Lafayette, La., and Michelle Naranjo of Long Beach, California, his sister-in-law, Norma Rice of Lafayette, La., many cousins, aunts and uncles. Services will be Wednesday at 2 pm MST at the graveside at City Cemetery, Lovington, New Mexico. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim and Hick Rice, George Krattiger, Leon Hagelgantz, Marty Sheaffer , Randall Kilmer, Craig Ham, Stanley Hardwick, Clark Colson and others who joined Bill on the Fairways, the fishing holes and the game tables. Memorials may be made in his honor to charities actively supported by Pat and Bill: St, Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, SD, stjo.org; or St. Labre Indian School, 1000 Tongue River, Rd., Ashland, Montana or Gideon's International or the donor's favorite charity.