COLUMBUS
William Emmett Gordon III, age 78, passed away at his home on the evening of November 5th, 2021. He was born November 14, 1942, and was the son of William E Gordon Jr. and Florence Elizabeth (Coy) Gordon in San Antonio, Texas. He earned an Associate Degree in Information Technology from San Antonio College.
Mr. Gordon retired from ArvinMeritor and was also the AS400 administrator and programmer/analyst at Columbus Components Group until its closing.
Mr. Gordon served nine years active duty with US Army Intelligence and twenty-two years in the Army Reserve, retiring as a Sergeant Major. His last duty assignment was acting Command Sergeant Major with the 88th Regional Support Group at what was then Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. His awards included the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal second award, Army Reserve Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with star device, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device, Non-Commission Officer Professional Development ribbon with three device, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon, Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon with three device, and the Expert Rifle badge.
Mr. Gordon came to Indiana by way of serving in a top-secret Army intelligence mission in Hawaii, and was stationed at Pearl Harbor. It was there he met a farmer’s daughter from Columbus, Indiana in the summer of 1970. He and Martha married in August of 1972, and set off on their adventures together. Some of the highlights of their first few years included exploring the Hawaiian Islands, being stationed at a top-secret base in Virginia, and fishing in Bull Run.
After arriving in Indiana in 1976, Mr. Gordon pursued his career as a database analyst, and also embraced the country life, working alongside his father-in-law on the family farm.
Mr. Gordon attended Sandcreek-Azalia Friends Church where he was a substitute Sunday school teacher and active supporter in other church functions for more than 40 years. He believed in being an active part of the community and worked as a poll inspector for several elections. He served on the Bartholomew County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for twenty years and was treasurer for six years. He was also a committee member of Boy Scout troop 549 for twenty years.
Over the years Mr. Gordon participated in a wide range of activities and hobbies. As a young man in Texas, he enjoyed competitively riding three-gaited and five-gaited horses. Later, he discovered a passion for fishing and was also a certified scuba diver. Not long after moving to Indiana, he was introduced to Hoosier basketball, and remained a fan for life. Mr. Gordon had a great love of birdwatching and maintained several birdfeeders around the home. Early on he had memorized all of the state birds, and was always happy to share his knowledge with others. While he would claim to have no real ear of music, he had a deep appreciation for the classical composers and perpetually had his car radio tuned to NPR.
Above all of his other achievements in life, Mr. Gordon was a dedicated provider for his family, a loyal husband to his wife of 49 years, the proud father of five children, and the adoring grandpa to five grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Martha Lindley Gordon, sons Matthew Gordon and John (Cindy) Gordon, daughters Cheryl Gordon, Rachael Gordon (Eric) Kesecker, Rosanne Gordon, grandchildren Emmett, Eve, Elaina, Elijah, and Victor, his sister Carolyn, brother Keith, many seven nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 Saturday at the Sandcreek Azalia Friends Meeting in Azalia. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hathaway~Myers Chapel on Pearl Street and from 9:30 a.m. to service time Saturday at the church. Burial with full military honors by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard will follow at the Sandcreek Friends Cemetery. Online condolences may sent to the Gordon family at www.hathaway-myers.com.
