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William Leonard (W.L.) Gillenwaters entered his eternal home on May 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was reunited with the love of his life of 63 years and 5 months, Peggy Jo Gunnells Gillenwaters.

W.L. was born in Langdale, AL, to John Wesley and Mary Breedlove Gillenwaters. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Marie Gillenwaters, Great Grandson, Andrew David Crowder his brother, Frank Gillenwaters; sister Marianne (Bobby) Elliott, and his sister and brother-in-law, Eloise & George Johns.

W.L. Is survived by his 4 children – Joe (Luann) Gillenwaters, Tina (Robert) Tolleson, David (Teresa) Gillenwaters, Bonnie (Ben) Edwards, 5 grand-children – Tiffany, Brittany, and Heather Gillenwaters, Leta (Trevor) Crawford, April (Harley) Crowder, and 4 great grand-children – Kallen, Harlyn, Oliver, and Kaliyah. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and extended family.

W.L. was often referred to as “Double” by those close to him and his family affectionately called him “Duhda.” W.L. loved Jesus and shared the love of Christ to everyone he met through his gift of playing the guitar and singing. He was a founding member of The Believers Quintet. The group traveled all over the southeast singing at Homecomings and Revivals. He was a choir director,

Youth Leader, and Deacon. Later in life he shared Jesus at Sylvia Word Manor and at Bobby’s Backyard Brotherhood, as well as the local Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities.

W.L. spent the last two years playing bass for the Miles High Band. He told everyone he met that he was 84 years old playing bass in a rock band. The Miles High Band brought him great joy and he got to play music again!

If you knew W.L., then you knew how much he loved the Lord and serving Him through his ministry, “To Him be Glory”

W.L. was the kind of person who could strike up a conversation with anyone, and by the end of it, you felt like you had known him forever. He also loved Alabama football, and it was rare to see him without an Alabama shirt on usually matching Peggy! He was proud to shout Roll Tide Roll to anyone he met! W.L. left his mark on this earth, and everyone who knew him felt his love and kindness.

Services will be held at Plant City Baptist Church, Sunday, June 2, 2024 @ 2:00 PM EST. We will have an old fashioned “Singing on the Grounds” immediately after outside on the church grounds. If anyone would like to sing a song, bring your guitar and come join us!!!