Willie Gibbs

Willie Henry Gibbs was born December 5, 1933 in Indianola, Mississippi. He was the son of Ira and Rosala Gibbs, who preceded him in death. Willie was baptized in Indianol, Mississippi at a young age. His family moved him to Kansas City, MO to live with his grandparents, where he attended WW Yates Elementary School and RT Cole High School. At age 15, after working in various positions on farms and ranches, he started his formal work career in a grocery store. During his time off, he would carry his young cousin Inez on this shoulder to school, and for a long time she thought he was her brother giving him the nickname lumplump. At age 16 he joined the U.S. Army and due to his young age, his grandmother had to sign for him to enlist. Willie celebrated his 17th birthday in a foxhole in Korea during an intense firefight. Willie was wounded in Korea and received the Purple Heart. In February of 1960 he was Honorably Discharged from the Army at Fort Sill, OK after being awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal, to name a few.

In 1965 he moved to Roswell, NM where he was employed in numerous jobs. In December of 1970 he met Esther Cannon and later rededicated is life to Christ. On May 29, 1971 he and Esther were married. From this union two children were born.

In the 1980s the Lord called him into the Ministry. He was ordained in Gateway Baptist Church and served in numerous churches around Roswell and the State of NM.

Pastor Gibbs was called to Pastor First Spanish Baptist Church of Roswell, NM where he served for many years until his health failed.

He is survived by his wife Esther Gibbs of Roswell, NM, son Sgynman Gibbs, wife Steffany, daughter, Kelly Gibbs Crosby, all of Denver, CO. Four Grandchildren, Eric Crosby, Jermaine Gibbs, Michael Gibbs and Kiona Gibbs. Brother inlaw E K Cannon, Jr. of Yuma, AZ. Eight cousins, Billy Charles Hollingsworth, Inez Hollingsworth Morton, Mitchell Hollingsworth whom he grew up with, Clotine Collins, Ruthell Tucker, Leon Tucker, Althea Smith, Debbie Smith and host of family and friends. He will be missed by this great nation as a defender of our freedoms, by his family as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, by all who have known him as a pastor, minister, teacher and friends.

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