William "Bill" Ralph Gum's Obituary
William “Bill” Gum, age 82, of Bethany Beach, DE passed away at his home on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. He was born on April 30, 1932, son of the late James E. and Frances (Pearson) Gum.
Bill was born in Boston, MA but spent most of his early years in Maine. He served his country in the United States Air Force and retired from Northrop-Grumman after more than 20 years of service. While living in Maine, Bill met Faith, his wife of 38 years, with whom he raised three children, Susan, William and Joseph. Sadly, Faith passed away in 1991. Bill later married Shirley. He and Shirley retired to Bethany Beach, DE where they spent many years together until Shirley’s passing in 2008.
Bill was an avid reader, who also enjoyed fishing, tying flies and hunting. He loved to spend time golfing, baking, woodworking, gardening, and completing crosswords. He always had a good story to share, a riddle to ask, and a joke to tell. In his more recent years, Bill also greatly enjoyed volunteering at the South Coastal Library and attending services at the Millville United Methodist Church where he was also an usher.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife Faith and his second wife Shirley, a brother James Gum and two sisters Elizabeth (Betty) and Ruth. Bill is survived by his three children: Susan Widener of Columbia, PA, William R. Gum, Jr. and his wife Lonnie, of Manheim, PA and Joseph W. Gum, of Harwood, MD, five grandchildren: Elizabeth, wife of Victor Salvatore, of Mount Joy, PA, Sarah, wife of Lev Tayts, of Lancaster, PA, Brandon Gum of Gettysburg, PA, Ashli, wife of Adam Stetter, of Lancaster, PA, and Mason Widener of Columbia, PA, four great-grandchildren: Andrew, Alex, Lucas and Maxwell, one sister, Barbara Perkins and a brother Richard "Alan" Gum, both of Maine.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the Millville United Methodist Church, 36405 Club House Road, Millville, DE 19970 where friends may visit beginning at 9:30 AM. Interment will follow services in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 32112 Vines Creek Road, Dagsboro, DE 19939.
Please sign Bill's online guestbook at this site.
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