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Bill Gibson Obituary
March 9, 1935 - February 19, 2023
Bill Gibson was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Upon graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1958 he moved to Bakersfield, California. He was a teacher and administrator in the Bakersfield City School District for over 20 years. Then he served as Superintendent for the Fairfax School District for 11 years. Dr. Gibson finished the last 5 years of his career as the Assistant Superintendent for the Arvin Elementary School District where he retired in 1996. He was married to Ruth Gibson for almost 47 years.
He received his Master of Arts in Education Administration from California Lutheran College in 1976 and his Doctorate in Education Administration from the University of Southern California in 1982. He also studied at the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to working in Education, Bill served as a Pastor at a few different churches and continued to teach Sunday School and serve as a substitute preacher whenever called upon at the Living Hope Baptist Church where he was a long-time member and church leader. Bills infectious smile and gregarious nature will be missed by all who knew him. Well done, good and faithful servant.
www.bakersfield.com/obits
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Memories and Condolences
for Bill Gibson
3 Entries
Karin Larka
May 19, 2023
Bill Gibson was the finest superintendent I worked for in 44+ years as an educator. He was supportive of interesting new ideas, protected his staff, encouraged creativity, and helped us deal with the "test" as state mandates changed. One year, my students wrote poetry to the music of The Paul Winter Consort. Topic: Endangered species. The children created a book illustrated with photos they took of clay sculptures they made of their endangered animal. A copy was sent to Paul who said it was the greatest tribute his music ever received. Paul asked to purchase 100 copies. Mr. Gibson joyously sent Paul Winter those copies. As a gift. it was our student's poetry that stirred the heart of this famous musician whose music sits on the moon with Bach's. Mr. Gibson gave me the academic freedom for such projects. Mr. Gibson assisted me when I joined Fresno Unified, expressing his happiness for me, but sadness at my departure. He sat on my shoulder every day of my teaching career from that day forward. He was my angel. Without him, I would never have gone on to win multiple teaching awards here and abroad. I will always carry Mr. Gibson in my heart. My deepest condolences to his loved ones. Karin Larka, Fresno County Educator of the Year-2002.
Mike Cheatham
March 17, 2023
So sorry to learn of Mr. Gibson´s passing. He was my teacher at Curran Jr. High back in 1966. I´m 70 now, but I still remember him as such a funny, fair, and helpful man. So happy to know he was a man of God. Heaven has a good one!
Mike Cheatham
Mike McGuire
March 17, 2023
I´m sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Bill. I enjoyed working with him the years he worked in Arvin. He had an infectious smile and when things got tough Dr. Bill had a calming effect on all. My condolences to the family.
Mike McGuire,
Retired AUSD Superintendent
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