William "Bill" Charlie Gaskin, Sr.

William “Bill” Charlie Gaskin, Sr. was born on September 29, 1936, in Russell Springs, Kentucky, to the late Dewey Lee Gaskin and Lucy Ovalene Ford Gaskin. He shared 65 years of marriage with his loving wife, Mary Rose Roark Gaskin, who survives him.

Bill was a devoted father to his eight children: Vanessa Campbell and husband Butch of Gray, Kentucky; Vonell Beach and husband Robert, William Charlie Gaskin, Jr. and wife Cindy, and Wayne Gaskin and wife Jeannette, all of London, Kentucky; Rosemary Batshe’ and husband Michael of Lily, Kentucky; Rebecca Cathers and husband Derrick of East Bernstadt, Kentucky; Abigail Gaskin (Brad) of Louisville, Kentucky; and Vonetta Gaskin (Jason) of Brodhead, Kentucky. He is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren, along with many other family members and friends who will cherish his memory.

He worked for 20 years as a No. 1 Industrial Machinery mechanic at Stokely Van Camp in Indianapolis, Indiana. After returning to Kentucky, he spent 11 years as a custodian at Laurel County Junior High. A man of deep Pentecostal faith, Bill found great purpose in his wooden cross ministry, through which he quietly witnessed to others about the love of Jesus. At home he was an inveterate tinkerer, always improving things with his own hands, and he took simple joy in keeping American flags waving in his yard while feeding the birds and squirrels that visited daily.

Bill passed away on March 6, 2026, at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings: Evelyn, Maxine, Willie Lee, and Fred, all of Indianapolis, Indiana.