Albert L. Gill

Albert L. (Al) Gill, age 103, passed away at his home on July 14, 2025. He was born December 1, 1921, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The family moved to Charleston, SC at age 6 months and at age 9 moved to Columbia, SC. He was sworn into the U.S. Army Air Corps on November 11, 1942. Following basic training in Florida, he was assigned to the University of Tennessee as part of the initial group of Aviation Cadets in the College Training Detachment in March 1943. He met his wife to be, Joan Perrin, on a blind date. They were married for 64 years. She preceded him in death on February 19, 2004. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert L. Gill and Irene S. Gill. He was a 1st LT. U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He was a member of the 13th Air Force, 307th Bomb Group(H), 424th SQ as a navigator on B-24 bombers flying 43 missions in the Southwest Pacific. He received the Air Medal with 4 clusters and Presidential Unit Citation. He and Joan were married October 18, 1945, and lived in Allendale, SC and Augusta, GA before moving to Knoxville in August 1948. He joined the firm of Tennessee Mortgage and R. M. Perrin Real Estate and Insurance. Upon the death of his father-in-law, R. M. Perrin, he operated the Tennessee Mortgage Co. until 1983 when it was renamed East Tennessee Mortgage Co. and his oldest son, Albert (Bert) Gill took over the reins and Al continued to work for the firm. Al was a long-time member (60+ years) of the Downtown Sertoma Club and other organizations dealing with flying. A member of St. John's Lutheran Church since 1948, he served on the church council, ushering committee, and stewardship committee. Survived by daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Frank Wilson, sons and daughters-in-law Bert and Jill Gill, Robert (Bo) and Pam Gill, Hank and Debbie Gill, grandchildren and spouses Ken and Melissa Brown, Laurie and Ryan Templin, Holly Hodge, Spencer and Abby Gill, Drew and Camille Gill, Jacob and Hans Gill, Jared Gill, Matthew Gill, Megan Gill, great-grandchildren Dane Templin, Lilly Templin, Mason Hodge and cousins Shirley Smith, Chip Smith, Grant Smith, Houston Smith and Lynn Finley. The family will receive friends Monday, July 28, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church followed by the worship service at 11:30 a.m. Interment is at 1:00 p.m. at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 5901 Lyons View Pike, Knoxville, with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 544 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Arrangements by Rose Funeral Home, Broadway Chapel.