William Fred Gilmore

William “Bill” Gilmore, passed away October 1, 2022, at the age of 75 in Easton, MD. Imbued with a wickedly sharp sense of humor, he spent his final days in the hospital cutting up with his family, best friend, Doug, and any and all unsuspecting nurses and doctors. Bill was born on August 20, 1947, in Cumberland, RI, son of the late Fred and Phyllis (Dixon) Gilmore. He met the love of his life, Terri, when they were both just sixteen years old and students at Cumberland High School. Terri will never forget the life of adventures they shared which began on their very first date, as Bill picked her up in his mother’s 1948 Plymouth with rusted-out floorboards Quick thinking on Bill’s part provided the solution of placing the cover of his mother’s washing machine under the carpet to keep Terri safe. The adventure continued after Bill proposed with a diamond ring inside a Cracker Jack Box. Bill and Terri said “I do” in September of 1968, and, within the next few years their family began with the arrival of their son, David, and daughter, Nancie. In 1972, they purchased their first home in Swansea, MA, where Bill found his passion and calling in life as a volunteer firefighter, serving proudly with the “Wise Men of the North” - Station Four. A lifelong learner, Bill graduated in 1988 with his degree in Electrical Engineering. Ever the family man, he missed his own graduation to attend his son David’s high school graduation. In his early career he worked on pioneering energy conservation in pumps and motors and spent time working on oil rigs to nuclear powered submarines. He accepted a position with Bryant University, Smithfield, RI, as Associate Director of Physical Plant where he spent many years streamlining and implementing energy efficient programs.Once again, Bill weighed the benefits of his new position with his role as the family provider in mind when he joined the staff at Bryant University, knowing his new position would provide his children with the opportunity to obtain their degrees for free. In the latter half of his life, he worked as the Vice President of Operations for The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. It was here he found a new way to serve as he was introduced to The Concours D'Elegance of St. Michael’s Maryland. Bill enjoyed 15 years of volunteering with the Concours, friendships made, and many beautiful vehicles were admired. Most recently he had the pleasure of serving the commissioners of St. Michaels as Assistant Codes Compliance Officer. Bill will always be remembered for his servant's heart, his dedication to his family, and his never-ending supply of corny jokes. His passion for serving others has been branded into his family who each seek to carry on his legacy in their own way. He is survived by his sister, Judith Gilmore of Dover, DE, and his two children, Nancie Mandeville and her husband Troy, of Marshville, NC; and David Gilmore and his wife, Jill, of Salisbury, MD. He has five grandchildren, Michaela (Salem) Seabrease and her husband Josh, Lauren (Salem) Whitley and her husband Seth, Caroline and Meredith Gilmore, and Cole Mandeville. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 29th. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Please RSVP to “bill+memorial(at)gilmorefamily.name” for additional information. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Bill Gilmore to the Case High Scholarship Trust Fund, PO Box 33, Swansea, MA 02777. Scholarships in his name will be awarded to students of family members of Swansea Volunteer Fire Department Station 4.

William Fred Gilmore

August 20, 1947 - October 1, 2022