Billy Gamble

Mr. Billy Thomas Gamble, age 88, of Hoover, passed away on Friday, August 24, 2012. He was a native of Blount County, AL, and graduated from Blount County High School in 1941. In December 1941, he enlisted in the US Navy and served 22 years of honorable service to his country, primarily on submarines and attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Following his military retirement in 1963, he returned to Birmingham and was employed at Samford University. While at Samford he earned a B.S. in Business Administration, followed by a Masters Degree in Vocational Education and a Masters In Business Administration from UAB. He served as superintendent of Samford's physical plant for ten years and then became an Educator in the School of Business for the duration of his career, retiring in 1987. Mr. Gamble was preceded in death by his parents, Cyrus Grady and Mary Jane Brown Gamble, and his brother Wilburn Gamble. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Stella Ingram Gamble; a daughter Susan Gamble Tucker, son, David Gamble (Charlae); nine grandchildren, Drew Lacy, Peter Lacy (Brandy), Kelly G. Favata, Karen G. Allen (Shay), Will Gamble (Kelly), Donna T. Porter (Paul), Amy T. Looney (David), Julia Starr and Carrie Starr Martin (Casey); Sixteen great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Jeb and Henry Lacy, Emily and Vincent Favata, Cameron Allen, Alexy and Trey Gamble, Tucker and Conner Phillips, Olivia, Reagan and Peyton Looney, Chris and Dillan (Julia Starr), and Wyatt Martin. He is survived by sister Myrtlene Mize, and brothers, Delbert (Dorothy), and Phil Gamble. In-laws are Mark Ingram (Eula), Annie Tidwell (J.D.) and Dave C. Ingram (Doris). He is also survived by a multitude of neices and nephews. Mr. Gamble was a faithful member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Vestavia Hills, where he was a Sunday School teacher for over twenty years. In addition, he was a member of the Birmingham Chapter of the SAR, the Alabama Genealogical Society and a member of the Samford Retired Faculty. The family will receive friends on Monday, August 27, 2012 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Steve West and Rev. Don Cross officiating. Interment will be at Alabama National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.