William Gaskins - Obituary

illiam Payne Gaskins, 84, a 40 year resident of Edgewater, died on March 1st at AAMC of respiratory failure following a lengthy illness. He was born September 13, 1926 in Washington, DC to William and Ella Gaskins. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, DC where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He then graduated from the Benjamin Franklin University where he earned a Masters degree. He worked for over forty years as an accountant for Autorama Sales Inc. in various business ventures. He served in the Navy during the WWII era as a radioman. He most treasured being with his Family and cherished the years they spent living on the water in his dream home. He enjoyed boating and all that came with living on the water. He spent his free time working in his yard and maintaining his home for his Family. He loved to work with his hands and built many model ships, birdhouses, children’s toys and other wooden crafts. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s events and was a faithful Redskins Fan and critic. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years Sally Ann Gaskins. He was the loving father of six children, William Gaskins Jr., Susan Coates, Robin Robb, Chris Edmonds, David Gaskins and Sarah Kerr. He was blessed with 14 grandkids: Laurie Lehman, William Coates III, Wendy Morris, Theresa Robb, Donald Robb, Tammy Sollenberger, Michelle DiMarco, Shannon, Matthew and Jamison Gaskins and Abby, Greg, Caroline and Lilly Kerr. He also had nine Great-grandchildren. Relatives and Friends are invited to William’s Life Celebration on Friday, March 4, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home 2973 Solomons Island Rd. Edgewater, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help 515 Loch Haven Rd. Edgewater, MD. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens, Davidsonville, MD. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Operation Smile or to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401. For your convenience an online guestbook is available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com