Mr. William Thomas Gibbs, who was affectionately called “Smoky,” was born in Portsmith, Va., on November 14, 1944. He was the son of the late James Adams Gibbs and Mary Alice Poe Gibbs. He peacefully entered into rest on Thursday, November 25, 2021, at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, N C.

William was educated at Unity High School. He became a member of First Baptist Church, where he served for many years. He was a licensed Insurance Agent for the State of North Carolina and at one time was employed by Winston Mutual Insurance Company and Cincinnati Life Insurance Company. He retired from United Insurance Company of America with more than thirty years of service.

He was twice married, first to Peggy Holmes Gibbs and second to Joann Neils Gibbs, both of whom preceded him in death. In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by six sisters, Betty Jean Jones, Sarah Gillion, Maxine Foster, Margie Brawley, Sandra Parker, and Johnsie Lucky; and three brothers, James Gibbs, David Gibbs, and Michael Gibbs.

William leaves to cherish the memory of his life one son, Devry Thomas Gibbs, of Statesville; three daughters, Derrion Gibbs Scott (Charles) and Suprena Danette Gibbs, both of Statesville, and Michelle Denise Gibbs of Fort Mill, S.C.; three sisters, Jacquelyn Daniels of Statesville, and Mae L. Gibbs and Frances Warren, both of Washington, D.C.; eight grandchildren, Kenyanna L. Harris of Fort Mill, S.C., Jessica C. Gibbs of Charlotte, N.C., Desiree C. Mayfield and Erykah C. Gibbs, and Courtney Jermaine Mayfield Jr., all of Statesville, Malcolm X. Adams of Greensboro, N.C., and Amanda S. Gordon and William C. Gordon, both of Mooresville, N.C.; one great grandson, Trayon Elohim Christian of Statesville, N.C. and a host of nieces and nephews, church family and friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 2 p.m. at The First Baptist Church, 464 Garfield Street, Statesville, N.C. Mr. Gibbs will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in state at 1 p.m. Rev. J. W. Brunson is Pastor and Rev. Michael McClain will officiate and burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Park on Thursday Morning, December 2, 2021, at 10 a.m.

Members of the family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 until 2 p.m. (30 minutes prior to the funeral hour), but will assemble at the residence at other times.

Visit the Book of Memories for Mr. Gibbs at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.

Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Gibbs Family.