William J. Gerlitz, III
December 12, 1955 – December 19, 2023
William (Billy) J. Gerlitz, III, 68 of Fairmont City, IL was born Monday, December 12, 1955 in St. Louis, MO and passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
He had retired from Chrysler in Fenton, MO after 30 years and was a member of the UAW Local 110.
Billy was a loving son, brother, uncle, great uncle and great-great uncle. He had a quiet nature with a loving and generous soul. He always supported his family and those who needed help, especially at Christmas. Billy took it upon himself in taking care of his elderly parents daily, as he stated “these are my children”. Many family members have reflected back when they were younger, as to how he always bought them treats, gifts or provided a special trip when they were visiting. He had a soft heart for those with disabilities such as his niece, Allison, who he shared a special bond with. He was passionate about watching his Hallmark movies and the classics. His kind heart and bright smile will be missed dearly.
Billy was preceded in death by his:
- Father: William J. Gerlitz, Jr.
- Mother, Emma M. (Davis) Gerlitz.
He is survived by his:
- Sisters:
- Deborah J. (Gary Spray) Gorsuch of Granite City, IL
- Tammy J. (Bill) Brown of Collinsville, IL
- Pamela Joyce (Ronald) Gillespie of Chandler, AZ
- Eleven nieces and nephews:
- Dawn (Kendall) Blunt
- Allison Gorsuch-Spray
- Joshua (Nicole) Petty
- Amber Patrick
- Alexander (Rachel) Petty
- Saige Brown
- Lyric Brown
- Keyton Brown
- Ellary Brown
- Christopher Gillespie
- Daniel Gillespie
- Ten great nieces & nephews
- One great-great nephew
- Along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Per his request there will be no funeral services.
Donations on his behalf can be made to the American Cancer Society of Eastern Missouri or Tri-Cities Area Association for the Handicapped (TCAAH), P.O. Box 1681, Granite City, IL 62040
11 Comments To "William J. Gerlitz III"
#1 Comment By Joyce Gerlitz Gillespie On December 20, 2023 @ 3:24 pm
He was the best big brother anyone could have asked for. He did have a kind soul. He had a sines of humor that made you laugh at times. He will be greatly missed but I know he is in heaven with Jesus and our parents
#2 Comment By Dee Dee Gillespie-Thorp On December 20, 2023 @ 7:17 pm
Love you so much! My heart hurts for you!!
#3 Comment By Shawn Johnson On December 20, 2023 @ 4:20 pm
He would take me to Venture for Hotwheels or Model Kit when we visited. Sorry for the loss.
#4 Comment By Kim davis On December 20, 2023 @ 4:48 pm
A kind loving person who would give you his only dollar. We sure will miss our Cousin. Rest in peace kind Cousin 💙💜💙💜
#5 Comment By Dawn Blunt On December 21, 2023 @ 10:27 am
My uncle was a kind and loving man with such a giving heart. I have so many wonderful child hood memories of him. Uncle Billy always looked out for his family. He will be missed beyond measure. Rest easy now Uncle Billy. We love you.
#6 Comment By Kathryn M Mazzocoli On December 20, 2023 @ 5:05 pm
Oh Billy, What a beautiful spirit & wonderful smile! Now comforted with our Heavenly Father may you Rest In Peace.
To Family,
I pray that you have the love of your friends and family to help soften your sadness, and that the memories of Billy, bring you comfort and lasting peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
#7 Comment By Wendy Danford On December 20, 2023 @ 6:06 pm
Although Billy didn’t talk much, when he did, he was quite funny. He would have something to say to me when I would come to the camper to do whatever it was I needed to do. He would be outside and yell across the street with some remark and he would make me laugh. He will be remembered for his humor and staying in the basement, every time I came over to the house when I was a kid. ❤️😊❤️
#8 Comment By Dee Dee Gillespie-Thorp On December 20, 2023 @ 7:15 pm
Billy was such a sweetheart unless Joyce and I were messing around in his room, which as kids we did it to aggravate him or to clean, Lol. He would always tell Momma Emma to let Joyce ride on the motorcycle with me, which she would always give in and let her.
The funniest time I will never forget, was when we were shooting off fireworks and playing war with jumping Jax and I stuck a pack of lite fire crackers in his back pocket of his jeans. He was jumping, yelling and laughing all at the same time. I have so many fond memories of him.
He will be truly missed!!! Praise God he’s not in pain anymore and living in heaven with his parents and Jesus. My heart goes out to all of the family! He was the big brother I never had!! ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
#9 Comment By Yalonda Livingston On December 20, 2023 @ 11:05 pm
Billy was a gentle soul with a great sense of humor. He could be so funny. He had such a caring heart. I have so many memories from when we were young. Where did the time go? Rest in peace sweet cousin.
#10 Comment By Amber Patrick On December 21, 2023 @ 2:36 pm
This is that uncle someone could never forget. Doesn’t matter how little time ive spent with him, he was always that uncle i was so proud to call my uncle. He had a way of making a whole room feel welcome and i remember him being so funny at times. I used to get a little sad when he would walk out the room bc I never knew how long it wld be before I seen him again. I am confident he’s in a place only he could describe perfect bliss. He’s in HIS happy place and we will all have our chance to be with him when its our time. For now, we continue this journey the best way we can and will always carry this wonderful caring warm hearted soul everywhere we go. He will truly be missed by so many. He loved so deeply for all people and that is one thing this world needs more of. Compassion. Uncle bill, I pray ur in ur place of heaven that u created just for u. The perfect place to be. I will see u again one day. I love and miss you!! ~amber~
#11 Comment By Debbie Petty-Bergkoetter On December 21, 2023 @ 6:38 pm
The Gerlitz lived next door at one time to my Granny. One of my earliest memories of Billy was when TammyJo and I were playing a keyboard in the basement. That was when I first remember his humor. May his soul rest in peace.