William F. “Bill” Gillispie

Mr. William F. (Bill) Gillispie, 84, of Washington, GA and formerly of Fort Meade, FL, entered into rest Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Piedmont/University Hospital after a valiant battle with cancer.

     Mr. Gillispie was born in Ft. Meade, Fla., as was his wife Jackie. He was the son of Samuel and Mable Colley Gillispie. After graduating high school, Bill received a football scholarship to the University of Tennessee. After playing for the Vols for a short time, he moved back to Ft. Meade, Fla., where his love Jackie was, because he missed her so much. So after a while, they married and Bill had a career as an insurance agent with State Farm Insurance Company for a number of years. Eventually he and Jackie settled in Wilkes County in 2006 and had no trouble making it their home. In January of 2013, Bill came to work with Hopkins Funeral Home where Jackie worked as the Funeral Home Receptionist/secretary. They were welcomed additions to the funeral home. Bill was kind, caring, and outgoing in his gentle way--always making sure everyone that set foot in the funeral home felt welcome . Washington has lost a special man, and many of us have lost a very special friend. Bill loved working on the farm, helping and spending time with his family, and deer hunting with Jackie. He was a member of the Washington, GA  First Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon.

     Mr. Gillispie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jackie Burchett Gillispie, of Washington; one son, Steve Gillispie, of Washington; five granddaughters, Christina M. Majors (Shane), Angela T. Shriver, Jacqueline R. Shriver, Madison O. Gillispie, and Kaitlyn T. Gillispie; six great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Theresa D. Gillispie.Samuel Gillispie, Sr. and Mabel Colley Gillispie; brothers, Sam Gillispie, Jr. and Charles D. Gillispie; sisters, Oleitta Mashburn, Teola Hollingsworth, Glenda Mullins, and Carolyn Swartz, Ruby Moody, and his oldest sister Dora. 

A visitation will be held at the Chapel of Hopkins Funeral Home on Wednesday evening, March 6, 2024, from 6-8 PM. 

     Visitation will be  held from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00  p.m.  Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Hancock Funeral Home, 945 East Broadway, Fort Meade, FL with funeral services following at 12:00 p.m.  Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort  Meade  

     The family has requested for memorial contributions to be made to the Cancer Fund of your choice. 

     Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171