W.R. “Ronnie” Gilley

January 28, 2018

W.R. “Ronnie” Gilley, 72, of Molino passed peacefully from this life at his home on Sunday, January 28, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ronnie was an alumnus of JM Tate High School (’63) and a U.S. Army veteran (Vietnam). He worked at the St. Regis Bag Plant and later at Champion and International Paper Companies. He also helped run his family’s business, Gilley’s Sporting Goods, in Cantonment.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Louise Gilley. He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Barbara (Grattet) Gilley; their children, Aaron and Ron (Janice); five grandchildren, Ryan, Jayce, Holley, Colby, and Parker; his father, W.T. Gilley; and his sister Frances Streit (Jim).

Ronnie was an avid hunter and fisherman, a true woodsman, and a gifted handler of hunting dogs. He helped pioneer bowhunting in this area and worked for the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat with the Panhandle Bowhunter’s Association and the League of Northwest Florida Outdoors Clubs. He was full of compassion for the weak and defenseless, the poor and oppressed, the widow and orphan. He has loved and been loved by many friends through the years as they shared camaraderie unique to outdoorsmen. He was thankful for these friendships, and the family is thankful for them still.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 30, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p/m/ at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. The funeral service will also be at Highland Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 31, at 10:00 a.m.. Active pallbearers will be Jimmy Montgomery, Gregg Montgomery, Sammy Cowart, Doug Cowart, Steve Cody, and Anthony Black. The members of Ronnie’s Sunday School class at Highland Baptist Church in Molino will be honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to Highland Baptist Church or your favorite charity.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries