Walter Avery Gillett Jr., coach of the 1955 Wayland state Class C finalist basketball team, died in Kalamazoo May 29. He was 98.Mrs. Gillett also died this past Wednesday morning. The service on June 7 will be for both of the Gilletts.
Walter was born June 26, 1917, in Shelbyville to Walter Avery and Jennie (Anderson) Gillett. He graduated from Martin High School in 1935 and Western Michigan Teachers College in 1940.
He met Marian Elva Hogg while they were both students at Western Michigan and they married March 17, 1939, and had four children, Carolyn Hura, Martha (John) Doyle, Avis (George) West, and David Gillett.
Gillett served as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in World War II.
He taught school and coached at Wayland Union Schools. His team in 1955 included former Major League pitcher Phil Regan, Eddie Stankey, Jim Heth, Ernie Strong, Chuck Regan and NFL player Ron Stehouwer.
He was named Director of Recreation for the city of Ann Arbor later in 1955 and taught at Pioneer High School.
He and his wife retired to California, where he enjoyed year around golf and making rock lamps. In 2003, they returned to Kalamazoo to live the rest of his life surrounded by family and friends.
Besides his family he is survived by a sister, Jean Brown-Ullrey of Kalamazoo, and her family. He was preceded in death by an infant son, his parents, son in law Walter Hura and granddaughter, Wendy Jesse.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 7, at the Shelbyville Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the Church or SW Michigan Hospice.
