Posted Nov. 18, 2020, by Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman. It is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at www.kimballfh.com.
On Thursday, November 12, 2020, William “Bill” Gaskins, Jr. went home to meet his Maker surrounded by the family that will always love him and miss him.
Bill Gaskins shared his gifts of smiles, hugs, and generosity with all that he met in his life.
Born November 23, 1943 in Billings, Montana, Bill was the first of two children born to William and Helen Gaskins. At the end of WWII, Bill and baby brother Wally moved with their parents to Spokane, WA. Bill attended Edison Elementary, Libbey Junior High School and Lewis and Clark High School. With his brother close behind him in school the brothers (known as Willy and Wally in Spokane) excelled in football and track and field.
In 1962, Bill accepted a football/track scholarship to attend Washington State University. At WSU, Bill would come into his own playing football, running track, finding his academic calling in pharmacy and meeting Felicia, the love of his life.
When Bill’s college eligibility ended in 1966, Bill’s honors included All AAWU Conference Safety, UPI 2nd team All-American, All-West Coast recognition and J. Fred Bohler Inspirational Award.
The icing on the cake was when Bill was signed by the Calgary Stampeders to play in the Canadian Football League for former Cougar Coach, Jerry Williams. After two seasons in Calgary, Bill returned to WSU with his family to complete his pharmacy degree.
In 1970, after completing his internship and board exams, Bill accepted the position of manager of the Pullman Memorial Hospital pharmacy and clinical instructor in the College of Pharmacy at WSU. He was later promoted to Director.
It quickly became apparent that the return to Pullman and the position in the hospital was a perfect fit for Bill. Hospital pharmacy in a college town offered Bill the opportunity to interact with patients, mentor students, and with increases in pharmacy staff provided more services and new practices to the hospital.
Living in Pullman also brought new opportunities to remain close to another love, athletics. Bill became a football official beginning with high school and small college football. He would go on to referee Pac-10 football for 17 years including refereeing bowl games and serving on the board of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO). Bill also served as the WSU track & field starter.
He was a member of the Pullman City Council from 1977-81 and Pullman Rotary Club president from 1984-85.
The WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals recognized Bill with the R. Keith Campbell Lifetime Achievement Award during the Crimson Gala on October 18, 2019.
Bill Gaskins was preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen Gaskins. He is greatly loved and deeply missed by his wife Felicia; brother, Walter Gaskins (Yoshiko) of Morgan Hills, CA; daughter, Helen L. Washington (Carl) of Portland, OR, son William T. Gaskins III (Carmen) of Bothell, WA; brother-in-law, W. Don Cornwell (Saundra) of Brooklyn, NY, and five grandchildren; Carlen A. Washington of Portland, OR, Courtney A. Washington (Adam Ebberbach) of Vancouver, WA, Hilary Zuniga Camacho of Bothell, WA, Jorge Zuniga Camacho of Bothel, WA, and Caleb J. Washington of Portland, OR, and scores of family and friends.
A service to honor Bill’s life will not be held until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to
--Pullman Regional Hospital Gaskins Scholars Award, 840 SE Bishop Blvd, Suite 200, Pullman, WA 99163.
--The William and Felicia Gaskins Scholarship at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99202-2131.
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