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Mr. William Bryan “Bill” Gilbert, age 85 of Valley died Monday, January 8, 2024, in Valley Alabama. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, January 19, 2024, at 2:00 PM (ET) at the Shawmut United Methodist Church in Valley with Pastor Mark Grizzard and Mr. Paul Meadows officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM (ET) at the Shawmut United Methodist Church and one hour prior to the funeral at the Shawmut United Methodist Church. Bill always enjoyed good music and the service will include music with Jason Coleman, Judy Benninger and Bryan Elliott. Burial will follow at Johnson Memorial Gardens in Valley. Pallbearers will be Emmitt Arrington, Jr., Columbus, Jay Cochran, Birmingham, Caleb Duke, Lanett, Richard Fuller, LaGrange, Steve Mason, LaGrange, Johnny White, Lanett.

     Mr. Gilbert is survived by his two nieces, Shelia Gilbert Byrnes of Williamsburg, VA and Jennie Howell of Oxford, AL, one niece, Tracey Hood of Lanett, AL, one nephew, Jason Gilbert of Madison, AL, one great-niece, two great-nephews and one great-great-nephew and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Roy Gilbert, Jr. and his nephew, Stanley Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert was born August 24, 1938 in Langdale, AL, the son of the late Roy (Dutch) Gilbert, Sr. and Ozelean Bramlett Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert was a member of the Shawmut United Methodist Church and had served in many capacities, including youth leader, Sunday School teacher and member and President of the Administrative Council of the church and president of the United Methodist Men’s club. He, along with his father, operated an auto parts business in West Point and Auburn for 10 years before being elected tax assessor and revenue commissioner of Chambers County, a post he served for 31 years.

     Mr. Gilbert was a charter member of the Valley Lions Club, a former member of the Jaycees, the Chambers County Camp of Gideons International and Shawmut Kiwanis Club. He served on the Board of Trustees of the George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital and the H. Grady Bradshaw Chambers County Library.

     Mr. Gilbert was a Junior Achievement Advisor for 26 years and was instrumental in forming Sing Out Valley, a patriotic youth group in 1968. He was founder and co-owner of The Langdale Company, producing over 83 concerts at the historic Langdale Theater. His hobbies were planes, trains and travel in general. He especially enjoyed working at the Langdale Theater.

     Memorials in Mr. Gilbert’s memory to the Shawmut United Methodist Church will be deeply appreciated by his family.

     Please visit Mr. Gilbert’s Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind word for his family, to share a memory of Mr. Gilbert, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.

     Johnson-Brown Service Funeral Home in Valley is handling arrangements.