“Joe” Willis E. Gibson, 68, of Chicora died at 1:20 a.m. Thursday in ACMH Hospital, Kittanning, following a short illness.

He was born Oct. 11, 1944, in Karns City, and was the son of the late Alvin Gibson and Georgia Wagner Gibson.

He was the husband of Judy Ann Fennell Gibson, who he married Sept. 10, 1966, and who died Jan. 28, 1997.

He attended Karns City High School.

He was a mechanic and worked at Pullman Standard in Butler for 17 years, until the plant closed.

He was a member of the Church Of God Of Prophecy, Karns City. He was a member of The Bruin Bowling League, the Chicora Moose and liked going to dirt track races. He enjoyed being with his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his companion, Barb “Will” Hile of Chicora; his sons, Joe (Careen) Gibson of Chicora, Buddy (Rhonda) Gibson of Chicora and Matt (Tiffany) Gibson of Chicora; his grandchildren, Zachary Barney, LeeAnn Gibson, Alyssa Gibson, Sarah Gibson, Makayla Slater and Madison Gibson; his brothers, Wesley “Mike” (Dawn) Gibson of Petrolia and Robert (Sherry) Gibson of Fairview; and his brother-in-law, Ed Burdett of Monongahela, Pa.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Kay Burdett, and his brother, Roy Blain Gibson.

GIBSON — Friends of “Joe” Willis E. Gibson, who died Thursday, March 7, 2013, will be received from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Church Of God Of Prophecy, 1510 Kittanning Pike, Karns City, and at 10 a.m. to the time of service at 2 p.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Ronald Roudebush, pastor of the church, officiating.Burial will follow immediately in the St. John's Reformed Church Cemetery, 334 W. Slippery Rock St., Chicora.For directions, information and to extend condolences to his family, go to www.steighnerfuneralhome.com.