Obituary of Willis Franklin Gillespie

Willis Franklin "Frank" Gillespie September 24, 1932 - September 14, 2017 Graveside services for Willis Franklin “Frank” Gillespie, 84, of Lovington, NM will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Lovington Cemetery with Pastor David Villar officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Mr. Gillespie was born on September 24, 1932 in Endee, NM to Johnny and Eva (Hurst) Gillespie and passed away at Good Samaritan Center on September 14, 2017 where he has been a resident for some time. Frank grew up in San Jon, NM and graduated from high school there. He enjoyed playing on the basketball team while there. After graduation Frank joined the US Navy and served on the destroyer, USS Moore, during the Korean Conflict. After discharge from the Navy he was employed by Otis Elevator in San Francisco. He also worked in carpentry and then in 1963 he became police officer in Fremont, CA. He came to Lovington in 1979 and was employed by the police department and retired as Detective Sgt. from Lovington Police Dept. He enjoyed fishing and loved playing golf. He was a social person with a good sense of humor and was well respected in the community. He was very good to a lot of people when an officer. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents and his wife, Wanda. Surviving him are his two sons: Mike and wife Linda Gillespie of Lovington and Steve and wife Terri Gillespie of Lynwood, WA; one sister: Evelyn Wallin of San Jon, NM; two grandchildren: Bobby and wife Rhonda Anderson of Lovington and Tina Oldaker of Lovington and several great-grandchildren. Also the mother of his sons: Norma Gillespie of Lynwood, WA. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the funeral home.