Obituary of William Henry Gilbert

William Henry Gilbert, 78 died peacefully on October 4th, 2018 in his home after a long illness. Bill leaves his beloved wife of 57 years, Nancy Gilbert, his devoted children, daughters Beth Townsend, Dede Gelis and son Paul Gilbert, who preceded him in death. He had six loving grandchildren, Nicole, Allison and Emily Townsend, Andrew, Michael and Philip Gelis, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is survived by his sister Ann Getty (Gordon) and was preceded in death by his brother Jack Gilbert (Sandy). He was born in Gustine, California on December 29, 1939 to immigrant parents from Holland and England. His parents Anna (Bekedam) Gilbert and William Gilbert moved the family to Wheatland, California when he was a young boy. Bill graduated from Browns Elementary, East Nicolaus High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Pomology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1961. After graduating, he was hired by Bercut-Richards Cannery in Sacramento, acting as a liaison between the company and growers; he later accepted a ranch management position with the L.M. Robbins River Ranch. He always had a love for finance and was hired by Mitchum Jones & Templeton Inc., a financial research investment company. He decided to pursue his brokerage license from the New York Institute of Finance in 1965. Upon his return from New York, he worked for Harris Upham/Smith Barney as a stock broker in Sacramento. He subsequently was recruited by Wells Fargo Bank to serve in their investment division. Although Bill spent many years in the investment business, he considered himself a farmer at heart. He purchased Yankee Orchards while still working in the banking industry and moved his family from Sacramento to Wheatland in 1977. He continued to work for Wells Fargo before eventually becoming a full time farmer. Bill was asked to consult with Feather River State Bank as the bank had organized an investment portfolio and he became a director in 1988. In 2006, he served on the River Valley Community Bank board. He held the position of chairman for both banks. Over the years, Bill served as a board member for Fremont-Rideout Health Group, the Sacramento Zoo, Yuba County Water District, the Bear River Almond Huller and the Sacramento Symphony. He was an active member of the Swiss Sports Club of Nicolaus, Peach Tree Golf and Country Club, Yuba City Rotary, Twin Cities Riding Club, the Sacramento Sutter Club and St. John’s Episcopal Church. He loved his family, friends, community and traveling the world. He was a great storyteller with a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. He was generous to everyone and found fulfillment sponsoring two children from Mexico and Honduras through World Vision. He had a passion for history, cars, sports, animals and he was very proud of his walnut orchards, his children and his grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date in November. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to The Sacramento Zoo, St. John’s Episcopal Church, (Marysville, CA.) or World Vision.