William "Bill" Gibbs

William E, "Bill" Gibbs, 95 years of age from Lufkin, Texas, born February 12, 1930, passed away September 4,2025, in Lufkin, Texas, to the late Era Brown Gibbs and Melvin E. Gibbs. 

Bill was very unique person that lived life to the fullest. He loved the Lord and enjoyed going to church, but as time went on, he wasn't able to attend due to medical issues but never once did he waver. Bill loved family, friends and, racing and not necessarily in that order. He built his first race car at the age of 17 and the rest is history. Bill had sold his race cars after he had a mini stroke but decided to build a D 50 Dodge Truck and that was the project he never got to complete but rest assured it will get finished. This was going to be his trophy truck as the motor 4-cylinder motor was what was going to make it stand out above all others and he was so determined on finishing but was just not physically able to finish. He was noted for the Hemi motors that he loved so well and everybody at the races just bragged on his cars and the secret to running them so well but the Hemi motor was by far his favorite. He was always eager to help a fellow racer and new racers coming up the ladder but he always kept the secret behind his Hemi's. 

Bill and his dad were the co-owners of Gibbs Motor in Lufkin, this dealership that they built together. When his father passed Bill took over the dealership and continued until the early 80's then sold the dealership and opened a fuel injection shop across the street from the dealership he owned until retiring in 1995.

Upon retiring his Bill and Ross joined the Polka Dot Dancing Club and traveled all over to different events to dance. They went one weekend to New Braunfels, to dance and Bill had just bought himself a pair of Tony Lama boots that by the time the weekend was over he had worn a hole in the bottom of both boots. While being retired they both loved to golf and they would go places to play golf and enjoy life with their friends. 

But racing was always his passion, and once you get racing in your system it is hard to let it go. One of Bill's races that almost ended his life was at the track at Ennis, Texas. Bill was headed down the track and a cheap fitting blew causing the fuel to come into his cab of the car burning his face and hands. One of his friends ran to the car pulling Bill out just before the car went up in flames. Bill was life fight to Dallas hospital where he stayed in and induced coma for 6 or 8 weeks before returning to Lufkin, Texas. He endured therapy on his hands and 2 surgeries but this didn't make him quit. He just couldn't think of quitting when he was able, he started back building another car, because he had to make sure he had not lost his passion for racing just because he had been in wreck. Bill never met a stranger because he said a stranger was just a friend who hadn't met him yet.

Bill had a 78-year career of racing and just think of the stories he will be telling his friends in heaven. Bill will be greatly missed but the memories we have will be with us until the end of our time. Survived by his daughter, Dona Elisa Gibbs, longtime friend Elizabeth Cornett, and numerous cousins. Proceeded in death by his wife of 65 years Ross Elisa Gibbs, son Melvin E. Gibbs III, mother Era Brown Gibbs, and Father Melvin E. Gibbs.