Robert Gill

Robert “Bob” Mason Gill, 99, of Jerseyville passed away peacefully at home at 8:40am on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Bob was recently named Hometown Hero by the US Attorney, Southern District of Illinois. He was one of 93 to be honored nationwide leading up to America’s 250th birthday.

Born on March 15, 1927, to parents Mason and Elva “Betty” Gill in Alton, IL, Bob grew up in Dow and graduated from Alton High School in 1945. He joined the Merchant Marines at the age of 17 to serve in the Pacific at the end of World War II on Liberty Ship SS Robert Louis Stevenson. Upon returning, Bob earned his Private Pilot’s License, attended Aircraft & Engine Mechanics School in St. Charles, MO and joined the US Air Force in 1948, eventually achieving the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant in 1970.

Bob served on various USAF aircraft including the F-86, B-29. C-54, C-124 and C-141 and flew nearly two million miles, including the privileged mission of returning the Gemini VII space capsule to Cape Canaveral after splashdown in 1965. He made countless trips into the Vietnam war theatre to deliver supplies and had the high honor of bringing wounded and fallen home, as well as carrying US POWs home at the end of the war. During his military career, Bob was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, IN; Selfridge AFB, Harrison Co, MI; Griffiss AFB, Rome, NY; Ernest Hammond AFB, Newfoundland; Dover AFB, Dover, DE; and McGuire AFB, Burlington Co, NJ. He received numerous awards and medals during his Air Force career including the Meritorious Service Medal in 1976.

Upon retiring from the USAF in 1976 and moving to Jerseyville, IL, Bob worked at McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis for 13 years as a support engineer and continued as a private pilot instructor in his spare time. Eventually, Bob and his wife, Irene, spent several winters golfing in Myrtle Beach, SC before establishing a winter home of 27 years at La Floresta Park, Mercedes, TX. Bob was a member of Franklin Lodge No. 25, A.F. & A.M., Alton, IL for 78 years, becoming a 32nd-degree Mason and member of York Rite. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville for 21 years, an avid American, aviation and military history buff, a daily follower of current events and a lifelong Cardinals fan.

Bob is survived by his wife of 77 years, Irene (Cuellar) Gill and daughters, Sydney Hannah of Federal Way, WA, and Robin Gill and her husband, Robert Billy, of Annapolis, MD. Also surviving are his brother Ron Gill and wife Janice of Dow, IL and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mason and Betty Gill.

Visitation will be held on Sat, Oct 10, 10am – 12noon at First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville. Services will follow at noon. Masonic Services will be at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Online Donations - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Printable Donation Form) and First Presbyterian Church, 400 S. State St, Jerseyville, IL.

Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville has been entrusted with arrangements. 

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.