Bill Gilbert

Bill Gilbert, 92 of Malvern, IA, passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at the HCA Houston Healthcare in Tomball, TX.

Bill's family will be hosting a gathering of family and friends to honor him and share memories. Please join the Gilbert family at the Charles E. and Florence M. Lakin Community Center in Malvern on Saturday, March 30, 2024, between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. There will be brief remarks at 11:00 a.m. with lunch and visiting to follow. Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern is caring for Bill and his family.

Memorials: Bill had a heart for kids, especially those in need. Per the family's request, in lieu of flowers, memorials are directed to The Orphan Grain Train https://www.ogt.org/ which is a Christian volunteer network in Norfolk, NE, that that collects and ships food and clothing to those in need both in the US and across the world or in support of our Malvern community, memorials may be given to the East Mills Child Care Solutions https://emccs.square.site/ which is raising funds for a new child care center in Malvern.

Billie Keith Gilbert died on January 23, 2024 at HCA Houston Healthcare in Tomball, TX, just one month before his 93rd birthday. A time of gathering for family and friends (casual dress) will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Charles E. and Florence M. Lakin Community Center in Malvern. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Orphan Grain Train or East Mills Child Care Solutions. Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern is caring for Bill and his family.

He was born in Cloud County, KS, on February 24, 1931 to William K. Gilbert and Fama H. (Casterline) Gilbert. He grew up in Scottsville, KS, before moving to Beloit where he graduated from high school in 1949. He was an accomplished pianist who accompanied many soloists, small groups, and choirs while still in high school. He studied piano and organ at Midland Lutheran College where he graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in music and education. He thought about becoming a concert pianist but decided teaching music was the right vocation for him. He received his Master of Arts degree with a focus on elementary vocal music from the University of Northern Iowa in 1975.

Bill’s first teaching job was at David City, NE, where he taught K-12 vocal and instrumental music. After a similar position in Louisville, NE, he found what he called his dream job teaching vocal music at Chantry Elementary School in Malvern, IA. He held that job until his retirement in 1994 and then served as a substitute teacher for 18 years in Malvern and surrounding schools. He was a fun teacher who delighted in his students and enjoyed making up silly songs to teach them to love all kinds of music. He put on wonderful Christmas programs and many other productions, most notably The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, which was performed at the Joslyn Art Museum preschool. While the programs were a great way to let the kids shine, he most enjoyed teaching them to read and love music. For several years, he had a Chantry Children’s Choir which was made up of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders who could sing 3- and 4-part harmony.

Bill gave a lot of time to his community as well. His very favorite outreach was organizing and creating a group called the Baroque Oratorio Choir which performed Handel’s Messiah for 28 years in Malvern and churches in other area towns. He looked upon this as a ministry in music. It was a faithful group which included singers from Malvern and surrounding communities, including many Malvern high school students. Bill was the founder of Pooh Corners Preschool in 1973 because he wanted kids to have preschool available in our own community. Daughter Amy was one of the first students and granddaughter Lauren was one of the last. He played piano and organ for numerous weddings, funerals, and churches, and accompanied many contest students. He volunteered for several summers at Camp Appanoose, a Christian camp for disadvantaged kids on Lake Rathbun, where he taught Bible studies. His most recent endeavor was playing piano at the Classic Cafe over lunch where he met many new friends.

Bill was a generous giver of his time, talents, and treasures. He loved to help those in need and had a habit of picking up hitchhikers. He always said he prayed first! He was our family’s creative planner of Easter egg hunts and the master of after dinner corny jokes and games, giving out potato chips for prizes.

Bill was a loving husband, a devoted dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa, and a faithful Christian who was not afraid to witness for Christ. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, Mary Jane; daughter Amy Jolley (Chad) and son Chris Gilbert (Tricia); beloved grandchildren Madison Gilbert (Brian), Lauren Gilbert (Carlos), Caleb Jolley, and Piper Jolley; and the very happy great-granddaughter Mackenzie Lou Guerra, fondly known as Lulu. He will also be missed by his sister Phyllis Shaft; sisters-in-law Frances (Elwood) Webb, Jennifer (Jerry) Shireman, and Janet (Steve) Henthorn; brother-in-law Henry Beebe (Patty) and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Pat Earle; niece Dena McMillin; sister-in-law Linda Beebe; brothers-in-law Jerry Shaft and Bill Earle.