William Gleason

Bill Gleason was born in Minneapolis, MN on 17 July 1929. Raised in a Catholic Orphanage, he became a junior champion Golden Gloves boxer before entering Military Service in 1947.

For a combined twenty years of distinguished service with the United States Army and Air Force, Bill served with Honor during the Vietnam War earning both the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device as well as the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After retiring from the military, Bill took skills learned throughout his time in the Air Force and applied them to a long and accomplished career as an electrician. He met Patricia Shearsmith and they wed on 16 December 1965 and raised two sons and a daughter, Gary, Jim and Kathleen.

Bill was a man who brought joy to everyone he encountered. Fishing, the Minnesota Vikings, telling jokes and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren filled his days with happiness.

Bill is preceded in death by his daughter Kathleen and survived by a wife of 49 years Pat, sons Gary and Jim, grandchildren Gary Allen, Patrick, Casey, Sean and Lindsey and great-grandchildren Alyssa, Jayce, Jayda, Jemma, and Jackson and two nieces Terry and Rocky.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:
St. Josephs Children's Home at:

http://www.sjkids.org

or to the Vitas Hospice Foundation at:

Vitas Community Connections
General Fund
2201 Lucien Way, Ste 100
Maitland, Fl 32751

(Checks can be made payable to 'VCC')