Maj. William Alan Gibbons

MAJ William Alan "Bill" Gibbons USAF Retired, age 81 of Seguin, passed away on January 6, 2026.

Bill was born on September 15, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio to Doris (Kinzie) and Donald Gibbons.

Bill received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Accounting from Baldwin Wallace College where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty. They were married for 59 years and had two daughters, Jenny and Carol. Bill enlisted in the Airforce in 1966. He flew B-52s in the Vietnam War and spent 13 months in-country at Pleiku Air Base. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Major Gibbons finished his Air Force career at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio as an Instrument Flight Instructor. In 1987, Bill became a Captain for American Airlines. He retired in 2007.

Bill's pastimes and talents were varied. He rode his beloved quarter horse "Ginger" with the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Mounted Posse, he sailed boats (each one larger than the last), built a Hatz bi-plane for which he won the Wright Brothers Award, founded W. Alan Guitars building hand crafted guitars in his woodshop and enjoyed big-game hunting in South Africa for many years. He was an active member of the Seguin Noon Lions. "Wild Bill" was probably best known for playing his guitar and singing folk songs at events and coffee shops around Seguin.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Doris and Donald Gibbons. Survivors include his wife and best friend of 59 years, Elizabeth Anne (Betty) (Nadolski), daughters Jennifer Perelstein and her husband David, Carol Shymkiw and her husband Timothy, grandson Dakota Perelstein, sister Lynn Helpman, nephews James & Bill Helpman and niece Melissa Helpman, and so many friends made on his many adventures.

To quote a song Bill sang often:

"Some day when it's all over, and they come to carry me.

When you're wearing black and walking slow with the rest of the family.

When the choir stands to sing a song, make sure it's one of mine.

I had a few more tunes I wanted to sing but I ran out time."

Visitation will begin on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 1 PM at Cross Church in Seguin, followed by a memorial service including military honors at 2 PM with the Reverend Jim Price officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

For those who desire the services may be livestreamed on the Cross Church Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/crosschurchseguin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cross Church, 814 N. Bauer, Seguin, Texas, 78155, or to any military organization of choice.