Walter Gillett

Gillett, Walter Avery 6/26/1917 - 5/29/2016 Kalamazoo, Mich Walter Avery Gillett Jr left this earth for his heavenly home May 29, 2016 with his wife of 77 years by his side. He was born June 26, 1917 in Shelbyville , Mi to Walter Avery and Jennie (Anderson) Gillett. He graduated from Martin High School in 1935 and Western Michigan Teachers College in 1940. He met Marian Elva Hogg while they were both students at Western. They married March 17, 1939 and had four children. Carolyn Hura, Martha (John) Doyle, Avis (George) West, and David Gillett. He served as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in WWII. He taught school and coached at Wayland Union Schools. In 1955 he was Director of Recreation for the city of Ann Arbor. He also taught at Pioneer high school. They retired to California where he enjoyed year around golf and making rock lamps. In 2003 they returned to Kalamazoo, Mi to live the rest of his life surrounded by family and friends. Besides his wife and family he is survived by a sister Jean Brown-Ullrey of Kalamazoo and her family. He was preceded in death by an infant son, his parents, son in law Walter Hura and granddaughter Wendy Jesse. A memorial service will be held at the Shelbyville Methodist Church June 7, 2016. Memorials may be made to the Church or SW Michigan Hospice.