William Cornelius Gilkey

Jul 3, 1932 - Jul 6, 2001

William Cornelius Gilkey, 69, dear husband, father, grandfather, stepson and brother, who resided on Blue Heron Way, South Bend, Indiana, passed away after an extended illness at 7:33 p.m. Friday, July 6, 2001 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.

William, son of the late William and Alberta (Anderson) Gilkey Sr., was born July 3, 1932 in Macon, Mississippi. Coming from Macon the family moved to South Bend when William was five years of age. He was educated in the South Bend Community School System, and graduated from Washington High School in 1951.

He received an honorable discharge the United States Army in 1958. William furthered his education and received a B.S. in Physical Education and Sociology from Indiana State Univeristy. He continued his education and received his Masters Degree in Education from Indiana State Univeristy.

On August 31, 1959, in South Bend, he and Juanita Jackson were united in wedlock.

Mr. Gilkey was a retired educator from the South Bend Community School Corporation and was also a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church where he formerly served on the usher board. His many affiliations and memberships include director of the South Bend Human Resources and Economic Development Department under Mayor Peter Nemeth; Central High School teacher from 1958-1968, assistant principal of LaSalle High School; principal in the Elkhart Community School System, and Clay Middle School principle.

Family members who survive to cherish his memory include his wife, Juanita; one daughter, Nikki (Owen) Byron of San Jose, Calif; a granddaughter, Allegra Marie Byron; his stepmother, Gertrude Gilkey; three sisters, Corrine (Ollie) Ross, Willa Conners and Mattie (Joe) Duke, all of South Bend; a special niece and nephew, Carolyn (Larry) Powell and John Jackson, Ill, along with a host of nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Gilkey will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Pilgrim Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Highland Cemeter. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening in Alford's Mortuary where arrangements have been entrusted.

The South Bend Tribune - Monday July 9, 2001 (Page 21)

Source: FindAGrave.com

03/30/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/239123440/william-cornelius-gilkey