Gilbert "Wild Bill" Kethely Cottle March 06, 2010

Gilbert “Wild Bill” Kethely Cottle, age 79, of Burgaw died Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Cape Fear Hospital.

He was born February 11, 1931 in Cumberland County, the son of the late Rudolph Cottle and Maybelle Harrell Cottle Lanier. Also remembered are his brothers, Lewis and Delmar Cottle.

Surviving are his devoted wife of almost 60 years, Retha Johnson Cottle; daughters, Frances C. Piner and Linda C. Batchelor and her husband, Arthur, all of Burgaw; grandchildren, Wesley Piner, Timothy Piner, Angela Piner, Erica Batchelor and Kristal Lockaby; six great grandchildren; and brother, Billy Cottle and his wife, Ada, of Wilmington.

Mr. Cottle was a steadfast member of Penderlea Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was retired after thirty years of service from Babcock & Wilcox Company where he was known by his co-workers as Wild Bill.

Gilbert was a devoted husband and loving father, granddaddy, great granddaddy and brother. He is remembered for many things; his commanding whistle, being a diligent worker, his enjoyment of the atmosphere at flea markets and community festivals with his booth of funnels cakes and Cottle’s Famous Pork Skins which his grandson, Timothy, will continue in his granddad’s tradition. But most of all remembered are his strong Christian faith which he generously shared with others, his commitment to family and church and his love of people. Gilbert’s family is grateful to Timothy for living with Gilbert and Retha and Timothy’s dedicated care that he gave to his granddad this past year. Cherished memories of Gilbert will forever remain in our hearts.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 8, 2010 at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel with The Rev. Dean Walker officiating.

Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Park.

Casketbearers will be Harry Marshall, Anthony Hargrove, Hank Harmon, Lee Howard, Willie Tucker and Tony Tomassetti.

The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com
Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw, NC.