Gail A. McWilliams

Gail A. McWilliams, of Battle Creek, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. Born in Jeffersonville, Indiana (along with her twin, Jerry) to Robert L. and Iris L. (Jones) McWilliams on October 21, 1945. 

Gail attended Post Elementary School, Southeastern Jr. High, graduated from Battle Creek Central, class of 1963 and attended Kellogg Community College. Gail was employed by Michigan Bell after high school and retired from the Social Security Administration as a claim’s representative after 30 years of service. 

In earlier years, Gail enjoyed bowling, playing golf, boating, coaching Special Olympics and taking care of her flowers and yard. She belonged to a group of friends that shared a monthly potluck for many years. She also remained close with a group of friends from high school, who she named the DependaBelles, and zoomed with them regularly. Gail loved hamburgers, spaghetti, peanut M&M’s, movies and making people laugh. Her heart was big and her smile even bigger. Humor got her through the tough times. 

Gail was preceded in death by her mother and father; her stepfather, Robert McCleery and a brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Jenny. She is survived by her brother, Jerry of Battle Creek; her niece, Laura of Richmond, KY; her god-daughter, Ginger Strand; her McCleery siblings, Maureen (Donald) Vire, David (Teresa) McCleery and Barbara (Mike) Roller; close friends, Sharon Heisler, Sallie (Ken) Goodman, Barbara Auble and Lynn (Toby) Rich and her dog, Marlee. 

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Centrica Care Navigators, 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 or All Species Kinship (A.S.K.), P.O. Box 4055, Battle Creek, MI 49016. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.