Lloyd “Bud” Eugene Gill, 80, of Stapleton, NE passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Lloyd was born on March 13, 1944, in Spirit Lake, Idaho, to Harold Vincent and Hilda Clara (Suckstorf) Gill.
Lloyd graduated from Stapleton High School in 1962. He loved running track and competed in the Class C State Track meet three times. As a senior in 1962, he finished 5th in the 100yd dash and was part of the winning 880-yard Relay team that set the state record. During the summers, he particularly enjoyed spending time with family on the Kramer Farm.
He graduated from trade school in Milford, NE, as a Diesel Mechanic in 1964 and then enlisted in the US Navy . He served three tours in Vietnam before marrying the love of his life. Lloyd and Gwen were united in marriage on July 7, 1969, in San Diego, CA . He proposed in a letter!
Lloyd attended Central Bible College in Springfield, MO, for three years, then felt called to reenlist in the US Navy. Throughout his Naval Career, he received numerous decorations, medals, and promotions. He proudly served our great country for 26 years, retiring in 1993 as a US Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer. In January 1994, Lloyd was excited to return to Stapleton and start a second career with Union Pacific Railroad. He was with UP for 22 years as a machinist and retired in 2016.
Lloyd and Gwen have three beautiful daughters, April (1970), Deborah (1975), and Esther (1981). Lloyd was well known for his vegetable gardens, especially his prized tomatoes. He thoroughly enjoyed vacations with his family and paused (to his daughters’ dismay) at EVERY historical marker along the way. He was a lifetime member of the VFW. Above all, Lloyd valued his Faith and Family. He especially delighted in his Grandchildren and his Great Grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Gwen; Daughters: April Gill-Norton of Mitchell, SD, Deborah (Robert) Gill-Domen of Fernandina Beach, FL, and Esther Gill of Omaha, NE; Grandchildren: Lauren Corona, Damien Dishmond, Morgan Domen, McKenzie Banks, Andrew Dishmond, Breonna Gill, and Brock Norton; Great Grandchildren: Aurora, Ayla, Asher, Taten, and Artis; siblings, Lois Musgrave of McCook, NE, Laura Stalnaker of Wichita, KS, Mary (Steve) Claycomb of Lakewood, CO; and Daniel (Susie) Gill of Round Rock, TX, and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Mikayla Marie Norton; siblings, Donald Gill, Lila Little, Carl Gill, and Larry Gill; brother-in-law, Court Stalnaker; and nephews, Kevin Stalnaker, Kipper Stalnaker, and Charles Stoeger.
Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 27th, with a time of family sharing stories from 5-6 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Scott McClellen officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Fort McPherson National Veterans Cemetery. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.