MT. CROGHAN - Mr. Van Burren “Bill” Gibson, 87, died Dec. 10, 2009. Funeral services were at 3 p.m. Dec. 13, at Cross Roads Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Visitation was 4-6 p.m. Dec. 12, at Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home. Mr. Gibson was born Feb. 9, 1922 in Mt. Croghan, a son of the late Jule Bart and Eutha Christine Smith Gibson. He was a former employee of Nyanza, Inc. and a retired employee of Caro Knit. Mr. Gibson was a member and Past Master of Ruby Masonic Lodge 314. He was a life long, faithful member of Cross Roads Baptist Church where he served as deacon, building and grounds committee member, choir member, and worked diligently on the construction of the church Family Life Center. Bill was an avid fisherman and enjoyed doing woodwork.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Vera Rushing Gibson, and by his stepmother, Ida Tucker Gibson.

Surviving is a daughter, Linda Gibson Hildreth and husband, Ralph of Charlotte, N.C.; two grandchildren, English Perry Griggs and husband Mitch of Davidson, NC and Bill Perry of Chesterfield; three great-grandchildren, Camden and Collin Griggs of Davidson, N.C. and Landon Perry of Chesterfield; a sister, Naomi Gibson Snipes of Kannapolis, N.C.; and other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to: Cross Roads Baptist Church “Building Fund” 4963 Cross Roads Church Road, Ruby, S.C., 29741 or Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh St., Charlotte, N.C. 28204.

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield was in charge of arrangements.