January 12, 1922 - July 03, 2010
Ernest Fredrick Gillette Obituary
Ernest F. Gillette passed away July 3, 2010. Ernie was born in Kearney, Nebraska January 12, 1922 to Geneva and Ernest Gillette. While he was in High School, he joined the Ham Radio club and learned Morse Code. In 1940 he enlisted and because he knew Morse Code, he was chosen to be in the U.S. Army 414 Signal Corps and was sent to McChord Field, WA for recruit training. He was moved to Fort George Wright and Geiger Field in Spokane. During his stay in Spokane he was to meet his future wife, Winifred Baxter, while out riding bicycles on a nice summer day. He was sent on to San Francisco and Chicago for more detailed training. Upon returning to Spokane, his unit had moved to Pullman, WA and later transferred to Boise, ID for overseas departure on December 20, 1942. For 2-1/2 years he was attached to the Ninth Air Force in Egypt and Libya. Then they were moved to England, France and Germany. Gillette was stationed in Paris while the Nazis where still occupying the city as well as the front lines at Utah Beach in France working on code systems. Discharge papers came on September 5, 1945 at Fort Lewis. Ernest's unit received two Presidential Citations for swift communications to Washington D.C. and a commendation from the Belgium Army for courier service. Upon arrival back to Spokane, Ernest and Winifred were married on September 13, 1945. He received his BA in teaching at Eastern Washington University. They had four children - Neil, Mary Ann, Paul (deceased) and Lynn. They have five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Winifred Gillette, two sisters who live in California - Evelyn Swezea and Irene Motis as well as three nieces, Marilyn Zoulko, California, Joyce Grant-Worley and Lisa Grant, both Oregon. Ernest was a teacher for 29 years at many junior high and high schools in Spokane. He worked as an engineer at KXLY for 10 years and was also in the Naval Reserve for 15 years. Many knew Ernie as having a funny sense of humor and a loyal friend. His passions were flying airplanes, building his own vintage Maule airplane, building model planes, talking on his Ham Radio (KJ7P) and fixing/rebuilding vintage electronics. We will all miss Ernie and his smile. Service will be Saturday, July 10 at 11am at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 2733 W Northwest Boulevard, Spokane, WA. Donations in Ernest's name can be made to Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Graveside service after reception.
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