William Gibson

HENDERSONVILLE — William Jardine (Hoot) Gibson, 93, passed away at Pardee Hospital, Hendersonville, on Jan. 18, 2013.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday at Chestnut Street United Methodist Church of Lumberton, the Revs. Steve Little and Leon Newton officiating. Entombment will follow in Gardens of Faith Mausoleum.

A resident of Lumberton, Hoot had lived in Hendersonville since May 2007 with his wife, daughter and son-in-law.

Hoot was born Jan. 10, 1920, in Marlboro County, S.C. He was the son of the late Nathan William Gibson and Annie Laura Newton Gibson.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Lindsey Nathan Gibson and Douglas Newton Gibson.

William Jardine Gibson attended North Carolina State University where he played football and baseball. He married Carley Aycock on April 3, 1943, and was called to Fort Bragg for his basic training April 6. He was sent to Camp Waltrip, Texas for nine weeks, and Fort Benning, Ga., for Officer Training School where he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. He joined the 89th Infantry Division at Fort Buckner, N.C., and sailed on Jan. 10, 1945, for France and later attached to Patton’s Army as 1st Lieutenant, Second Platoon Leader for heavy machine guns in World War II. He was a 17 year army veteran who loved his country.

After the war, Hoot graduated from North Carolina State and taught Industrial Arts in the Pinehurst and later High Point School Systems. While coaching football, basketball, baseball and wrestling he was called back to Fort Benning as a Physical Trainer and Bayonet Instructor for South Korean soldiers. He was a Captain when he left the Army.

Agribusiness became Hoot’s second career working for Aycock and Son Milling Company in Wallace, and later managing Carolina Grain Business in Lumberton. Hunting with his son, golfing and being a true North Carolina State Wolfpack fan is how he enjoyed his later years with Carley, family and Lumberton friends. Hoot Gibson was a fine gentleman, beloved husband, kind and loving father who had a big heart..

Surviving members of his family include his son, William J. Gibson Jr. and wife Scottie of Fremont; two grandsons William Scott Gibson of Raleigh and Christopher Cameron Gibson of Atlanta; a daughter, Anne G. Whitmire and her husband Stephen of Hendersonville. Also surviving is a brother-in-law, Jake Wesley Aycock Jr. and his wife Joyce of Wallace; two sister-in-laws, Nancy Gibson of Belmont, and Margaret Gibson of Gastonia; and nephews and cousins.

A short visitation will follow at the church.

Memorials can be made to Henderson County Meals on Wheels and Chestnut Street United Methodist Church in Lumberton, N.C.

Floyd Mortuary and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Paid obituary