Winchester Star, 2 November 1928
OBITUARY
William Reynolds Gibson was born in Buchanan County, Mo., February 22, 1848, and died at his home in Winchester, Kan., October 28, 1928, being at the time of his death, 80 years, 8 months and 6 days.
He was married to Mary E. Rice October 18, 1874, and to this union there were born eleven children, three with their mother, having gone to their reward. Mrs. Gibson died January 11, 1925; Harvey Marion, June 10, 1917; Oliver Arthur, May 27, 1918; Elizabeth Jane Perry, March 2, 1927. The living relatives of the family are: Charles L. Gibson, Kansas City, Kans., Elbert Ross, Ellis, Kan., Rachel Grace Smith, Kansas City, Mo., Lawrence Ray, Winchester, Kan., Elza William, Kansas City, Mo., Lucy A. Reynolds, Winchester, Kan., Lucien Paul, Winchester, Kan., Perry F., Ellis, Kan.,
There are two brothers living of a large family, James A. Gibson, Gower, Mo., and George W. Gibson, St. Joseph, Mo.
Brother and Sister Gibson united with the Christian church at Winchester in 1886, and lived faithful to their faith in Christ, Brother Gibson often expressing his desire to go to the loved ones gone on before.
Mr. Gibson came to Kansas as a young man, following the perilous times following the Civil war, and has lived all the time near the place of his choice in Jefferson county, where by his good works and deeds he was well known and liked, and his good works speak for him as well as a host of friends and relatives, who sorrow at his going.
"Servant of God, well done!
The glorious warfare's past,
The battle's fought, the race is won,
And thou art crowned at last."
FUNERAL OF W. R. GIBSON
One of the largest crowds of relatives and friends gathered at the Christian church Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, to pay their last respects to their old friend and neighbor, William R. Gibson, who had passed away at the home of his son, Ray, a short distance north of town, Sunday morning at 11:30. Mr. Gibson had been in failing health for sometime, but had improved enough to be able to be in town some two weeks ago, but Thursday he was taken worse and continued to fail until the end came. Everything that human hands could do was done to alleviate his suffering. He was preparing to go to Kansas City to spend the winter with his daughter, Mrs. Grace Smith, after election.
Mr. Gibson had been a resident in and near Winchester since about 1892.
He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding October 18, 1924, at their home here and all their children and their families, and a large crowd of friends enjoyed the day with them. Mrs. Gibson passed away the following January. Mrs. Perry, a daughter, passed away in 1927.
The services were conducted by the pastor, Mr. E. H. Murray. A quartet, Mrs. Ralph Walker, Mrs. D. L. Erwin, N. W. Everett and George Lynn, sang several beautiful songs, with Miss Edith Moore at the piano.
His sons, Charles, Elza, Ross, Frank, Ray and Paul acted as pallbearers. The large company of friends and the many beautiful floral offerings showed the high esteem he was held. Burial was made in the Wise cemetery, beside his wife, in the family lot.